Lasting change to relationship with Russia

Eriksen Søreide met with the acting President of the Nordic Council, Hans Wallmark (M) from Sweden, members of the Presidium of the Nordic Council, the head of the Norwegian armed forces, Admiral Haakon Bruun-Hanssen, and representatives of the Nordic countries. They discussed the defence-policy implications of the Russian annexation of Crimea for European security and Nordic defence co-operation.

Break down in trust

"The situation in Ukraine is a reminder that Europe isn't immune to conflict," said Marit Nybakk (Ap), security-policy rapporteur for the Presidium of the Nordic Council, in her opening speech

The Norwegian Minister of Defence underlined that Russia's violation of international law in Ukraine has major security-policy implications for the Nordic Region and for Europe.

"The conflict In Ukraine has led to a fundamental and lasting change in the framework conditions for European security policy. Trust in Russia has broken down and can't be fully rebuilt. Russia has not only shown a willingness to use military force but has also significantly enhanced its ability to deploy it. The Russian armed forces have increased their strategic mobility and warning times have been significantly reduced," Eriksen Søreide explained.

"Post-Crimea, we face a very different Europe and a very different Russia. We can never go back to the relationship that Russia and Europe had. We now need to find a new way of living together," Hans Wallmark added.

Strong desire for regional co-operation

Norway is chair of the Nordic Defence Co-operation (NORDEFCO) in 2014. The purpose of NORDEFCO is to improve operational efficiency by means of more efficient production and by the Nordic countries working more closely together across borders. NORDEFCO does not have a permanent structure and follow up work is done at national level with minimal administration.

Eriksen Søreide has noted widespread interest in defence and security co-operation at Nordic level.

"I don't see the differences between the Nordic countries in terms of their security-policy affiliations as a barrier to working together. NORDEFCO is an additional option to EU and NATO, not an alternative, and we see great interest in regional co-operation. As far as the NATO members are concerned, the countries that aren't part of NATO are still attractive as closely integrated and welcome partners in Nordic co-operation. Besides, there's no reason why all of the countries should have to be involved for an initiative to be considered part of Nordic co-operation," the Norwegian minister added.

Trend towards closer co-operation

One tangible example of successful co-operation is the agreement on military transport aircraft signed at the meeting of the Nordic defence ministers in Helsinki on 3 -4 December 2013.

Further info (in Norwegian): Signing the co-operation agreement on military transport flights

The Minister of Defence foresees even closer Nordic co-operation in the future.
 "We think alike on a lot of issues in the Nordic Region, and the trend is towards working more closely together. We need to come together and deploy a wide spectrum of measures – civil and military – to promote stability and security in the area around us," Ine Eriksen Søreide concluded.

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