The topics of the NATO summit include work on the strategic concept, arms control, Ukraine and Afghanistan, and preparations for next year's NATO summit in Madrid.

"The government will strengthen and further develop NATO and fully support NATO's strategic concept and deterrence policy," Huitfeldt says.

Huitfeldt also met with ministers of foreign affairs several allied countries, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, and the foreign ministers of Georgia, Ukraine, Sweden and Finland, present in some parts of the meeting.

Disarmament

There is widespread agreement in NATO that arms control, disarmament work and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons are important.

- Norway will work towards the full implementation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). There is strong support in NATO for work by Norway to verify that disarmament is actually taking place, says Huitfeldt.

The government plans to participate as an observer in the state meetings of the parties to the treaty banning nuclear weapons.

- To promote a more active disarmament policy, it is important to be present where disarmament is discussed. We note that the new German government will also participate as an observer in the meetings of the parties to the Treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The signing of the treaty does not matter to us as a NATO country. But 86 countries around the world have signed them. Being present and listening is wise policy and does not threaten NATO, says Huitfeldt.

Ukraine

For the second time this year, Russia has amassed large and unusual forces near Ukraine.

- The building of Russian forces around Ukraine is worrying. Norway is following the situation closely and is in close contact with our allies, says Huitfeldt.

It is Russia's duty to ease tensions and withdraw forces. Any renewed Russian military intervention in Ukraine will have serious political and economic consequences.

- Our goal is to stop Russia from further aggressive actions; we call on Moscow to be transparent, de-escalated and to reduce tensions - this is what Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general said

NATO's strategic concept

NATO's strategic concept is the most important overarching document governing the alliance. Provides guidance on the alliance's long-term priorities and adaptation to new security challenges.

- The reality of global security policy has changed significantly since NATO adopted the Strategic Concept in 2010. We support the continuation of NATO's three basic tasks. More emphasis on collective defense and immediate areas of the alliance, says Huitfeldt.

Photo: UD. Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt with Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs from Latvia.

Source: regjeringen

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