Norway, Sweden and Finland strengthen military border cooperation

– We share a border with both Sweden and Finland, and Norway is becoming important as both a receiving and transit area for military personnel and materiel. This places high demands on selected roads, bridges, railways, ports and airports, says Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygård (Ap) in a press release.

The agreement involves, among other things, an intention to practice regularly, as well as to examine the basis for a Nordic strategy for the long-term development of cross-border connections, based on each country’s strategic transport plans.

He and the two transport minister colleagues agreed on the collaboration during a joint visit to the NATO exercise “Immediate Response” in Narvik this week.

At the same time, the Nordic defense ministers have signed an agreement on Nordic defense cooperation towards 2030. It deals with a number of points, including cooperation on joint military exercises across national borders.

– Our joint contribution to NATO’s deterrence and defense – through our geography, capacities and strengths – is significant. Nordic cooperation helps to strengthen NATO’s position in Northern Europe and facilitates a strong regional contribution to the security of the alliance as a whole, says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) in a press release.