Continue Working on Developing New Nordic Defense Vision
Soldatene som sendes til indre Troms vil i større grad kunne være integrert med norske og andre allierte styrker i deres trening. Dette er i tråd med langtidsplanen og forsvarssjefens anbefaling, mener forsvarsdepartementet – som ledes av Frank Bakke-Jensen.
- We have had good discussions and updated each other about the regional security policy challenges we face together, says Norwegian Minister of Defense Frank Bakke-Jensen.
- We have had some good discussions and updated each other about the regional security policy challenges we face together, says Norwegian Minister of Defense Frank Bakke-Jensen.
Last January, Norway assumed the chairmanship of NORDEFCO, the Nordic Defence Cooperation, a political and military cooperation forum. The defense ministers’ meeting in Bergen this week was the first one under the Norwegian leadership.
Russia’s exercise activity in the Nordics’ neighborhood was one of the topics of discussion, and the ministers have now started working on developing a new vision for the Nordic defense cooperation.
- The Nordics face the same security policy challenges, which creates new opportunities for increased defense cooperation between the Nordic countries. We have talked about developments in the East, and what significance it carries for our region as well as the trans-Atlantic connection. These are important aspects that contribute to shaping security policies, Norwegian Defence Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen says after the meeting.
During a two-day meeting in Bergen earlier this week, the Nordic defense ministers also discussed the opportunities for joint technology development. From the left: Claus Hjort Fredriksen (Denmark), Arnor Sigurjonsson (Iceland), Frank Bakke-Jensen (Norway), Peter Hultqvist (Sweden), Jukka Juusti (Finland). (Photo: Marius Vågenes Villanger, Norwegian Marine Forces)
Both Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark participate in NORDEFCO and, according to the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, once they commence work on the new vision for the Nordic defense cooperation, the countries will increasingly acknowledge that the security policy environment has grown less stable.
- The Nordic cooperation is developing well and provides added value to existing cooperation through NATO and the EU, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense says in a press statement.
When NATO’s large-scale exercise Trident Juncture takes place this autumn, Norway will be the host country. Iceland will also place territory at the disposal of the exercise, where several of the Nordic countries contribute with forces.
- All Nordic countries adjust their defenses to a new era of security policy and the defense budgets in our countries increase. This is positive and necessary – and provides for increased security in the Nordics, Bakke-Jensen says.
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