Brigadier General Fritz Urbach becomes EU's first-ever Defence Attaché in Canada

As part of his three-year mandate, BGen. Urbach will provide military advice and support to the Delegation of the European Union, and will liaise with Canadian defence officials as well as EU Member States military attachés to Canada. BGen. Urbach is also accredited as the EU's Defence Attaché to the United States.

"I am excited to learn about Canada and to explain the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) to our Canadian allies and friends," said BGen. Urbach.
 

BGen. Urbach's accreditation is a milestone in EU-Canada security and defence cooperation, a significant development in the bilateral relationship as both partners seek to strengthen international peace, security and the effective multilateralism under the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA).

Prior to this position, BGen. Urbach served as Branch Head of the German Military Staff Representation to NATO and the EU in Brussels. BGen. Urbach enjoys a successful career in the military. He held a number of commanding positions in Germany and in NATO-led missions, including in Afghanistan.

BGen. Urbach's first contacts with Canada go back to the 1980s when, as a young army company commander, he conducted German army training exercises in the Canadian military facilities on Shilo Base, Manitoba. Coming from Baden in southwest Germany, he resides close to the former Canadian bases in Lahr and Soellingen.

Security and defence is a key priority area for EU-Canada cooperation, based on common values of support for peace, democracy and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Canada has been a valued third-country contributor to CSDP civilian and military missions and operations since 2003. Canada is currently deploying personnel to EU civilian missions in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali), Iraq (EUAM Iraq), Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) and Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine).

About the Delegation of the European Union to Canada

Established in 1976, the European Union Delegation to Canada is a fully-fledged diplomatic mission and, as such, the natural contact point in Canada between the EU and the Canadian authorities. It also has a strong public diplomacy mandate designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the European Union as well as EU-Canada relations.

Contact Press Officer Diodora Bucur (Diodora.Bucur@eeas.europa.eu) at 613-563-6354