OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 02/03/13 -- The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today concluded his participation in the 49th Munich Security Conference, which took place from February 1 to 3, 2013 in Germany.

The Munich Security Conference is a premier forum where world leaders, ministers, parliamentarians, government officials, senior military officers, academics, journalists, and other security experts meet to exchange views on current international security issues and concerns.

"Presenting a Canadian voice and Canada's positions on international security matters at a premier security conference is integral to the success of our foreign policy and security objectives," stated Minister MacKay. "This conference provides a unique opportunity to remind our allies, our partners, and the international security community what Canada brings to the table and furthers our defence and security priorities. I am proud to once again participate in this important conference and share Canadian perspectives on key issues such as Mali and Syria."

Alongside Minister MacKay, prominent international participants included Wolfgang Ischinger, Ambassador, Chairman, Munich Security Conference; Thomas de Maiziere, Federal Minister of Defence, Germany; Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, Singapore; Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom; and U.S. Senator John McCain, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

During the conference, Minister MacKay engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with key counterparts from around the world,as well as in a meeting with the U.S Congressional delegation of Senators and Congresspeople headed by Senator John McCain, to discuss ongoing challenges in international security and defence to advance Canadian interests. He also participated in a discussion panel entitled: "Does Responsibility to Protect Have a Future?"

Similar to the Halifax International Security Forum, the Munich Security Conference provides Canada with an opportunity to demonstrate our leadership in international security, whether it be through our longstanding transatlantic Alliance relationships or our growing engagement in the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region.

For more information on the Munich Conference on Security, please consult the following link: http://www.securityconference.de and the following backgrounder: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=4617.

Please consult the following link to read Minister MacKay's comments during the conference: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=4616.