Harper talks Ukraine, ISIL with NATO chief

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Ottawa, Monday March 23, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

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By Murray Brewster, The Canadian Press

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper and NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg met behind closed doors Monday to discuss the war in Iraq and the crisis in Ukraine.

The meeting came just a day ahead of the planned introduction of a parliamentary motion to extend and expand Canada's combat mission against extremists in Iraq and possibly Syria.

Sources tell The Canadian Press that Harper will introduce the motion Tuesday morning.

Stoltenberg, a former prime minister of Norway who became the alliance's secretary general last year, said the alliance is engaged in the troubled region despite having no formal role in the U.S-led coalition.

"NATO is also doing lots to fight and to try to work with partners in the region to stabilize them," Stoltenberg said during a photo-op with Harper, Defence Minister Jason Kenney and Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson ahead of the meeting.

"Because if you are able to make the Middle East more stable, we will become more secure."

Stoltenberg praised Canada's contribution in Iraq and to NATO's reassurance missions in eastern Europe, which have included fighter jets, the deployment of a frigate and ground troops on a training exercise.

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Harper talks Ukraine, ISIL with NATO chief