COLORADO SPRINGS, April 14 (UPI) -- Canada's top defense official said his country's relationship with the North American Aerospace Defense Command is vital for continued security.

Peter MacKay, Canadian minister of national defense and minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and other Canadian defense officials visited NORAD headquarters in Colorado recently. MacKay called Canada's relationship with NORAD crucial for continued security and ongoing defense cooperation. He also called the relationship a necessity for keeping North America safe from evolving threats, Canada National Defense reported.

"NORAD is and will remain the cornerstone of the Canada-United States defense relationship, and Canadian defense and security interests will continue to be addressed," MacKay said in a statement. "NORAD remains ready to defend Canada and North America in a changing security environment."

Officials say during the visit, which was his first, MacKay met with top U.S. military officials including Air Force Gen. Victor Renuart, commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command among others.