The meeting participants discussed the report by former Norwegian foreign and justice minister Thorvald Stoltenberg on the strengthening of Nordic foreign and security policy cooperation. The report was released in February this year, and the proposals outlined in it will be discussed at the Nordic Foreign Ministers’ meeting taking place on 9 June, the Finnish government informs in a press release.
“Finland highlights the importance of Nordic cooperation in the field of foreign and security policy, and wishes to further deepen it. The increasing significance of northern and arctic regions is reflected in the potential for Nordic cooperation, and it also generates interest in regional collaboration”, the government press release reads.
As reported by BarentsObserver, the Stoltenberg report touches on 13 fields of potential cooperation, and has the Arctic as a key focus.
“It is widely believed that the Nordic area will have an increasing geopolitical and strategic importance, following the Nordic waters’ role as production and transit area for oil and gas to the European markets and the development of the Arctic”, the report reads. “With climate change and ice melting, these [Arctic] waters are opened for considerably activities, including new shipping routes […] This makes it interesting with Nordic cooperation in the sea areas and the Arctic”, it continues.
The report is edited by former Norwegian foreign minister Thorvald Stoltenberg, who in June 2008 was commissioned by the five countries’ governments to elaborate on the issue. A group of ten experts from all the countries assisted Mr. Stoltenberg with the report.
Among Mr. Stoltenberg’s proposals is the establishment of joint maritime rapid action group based on the countries’ coast guards and rescue services. He also wants joint Nordic icebreaker capacities and the development of a joint amphibious unit adjusted to Arctic conditions. In addition, he recommends the development of a joint two-pillar surveillance system with focus respectively on the Barents Sea and the Baltic Sea, as well as the development of a joint Nordic satellite monitoring system. Also a joint catastrophe unit is included as priority.
Among the 13 proposals from Mr. Stoltenberg is also a security solidarity declaration committing the countries to cooperation in cases of outside military attacks.
Read the Stoltenberg report on the website of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry
