Strengthening NATO's ability to defend its member states

On March 16, NATO held an extraordinary meeting of defense ministers, during which ministers received updated information on the situation in Ukraine and discussed further ways of dealing with the crisis by NATO.

- The Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed the security situation in Europe. This crisis requires us to strengthen the armed forces also here in the country, says Defense Minister Odd Roger Enoksen.

At the meeting, defense ministers discussed how allied states should deal with the situation in both the short and long term. NATO has already stepped up its readiness and increased its presence in the East. About 40 soldiers are deployed in several countries under NATO command. Hundreds of thousands of NATO troops are on high alert. Allies also have high-alert airplanes and ships sailing in the sea from the north to the Mediterranean.

Defense ministers agreed to ask the NATO Commander in Europe SACEUR to further look at how the Alliance should further strengthen its collective defense. The military side of the alliance will come back with advice as this is best done at the June summit.

We are a defense alliance, the main task is to ensure the security of about a billion inhabitants of the alliance

- NATO is jointly advocating how to deal with the crisis. We are a defense alliance whose main task is to ensure the security of approximately one billion alliance residents. We will in particular look at how we can further strengthen the allied presence in the countries of the eastern part of the alliance, says Enoksen.

We will donate NOK 2 billion to humanitarian aid

- The government is constantly assessing how Norway can contribute to the ongoing crisis. Norway is a country on the NATO flank. Every day we contribute to understanding the situation, preparation and activity in our local areas. We also ship weapons and protective equipment to Ukraine, and donate NOK 2 billion to humanitarian aid. We are following the line of EU sanctions against Russia. Moreover, we are hosting the Cold Response exercise, which is ongoing and with extensive participation by Allies and the Nordic countries. This exercise demonstrates the strength and unity of the alliance, says Odd Roger Enoksen.

Norway also cooperates closely with Scandinavian partners. Sweden and Finland participated in the NATO part of the meeting together with defense ministers of Ukraine and Georgia and EU representatives.

- As chairman of NORDEFCO defense cooperation, Norway has taken the initiative of permanent dialogue and coordination with Sweden and Finland on this crisis, sums up Enoksen.

Photo: Marita I. Wangberg, FD / Defense Minister Odd Roger Enoksen.

Source: regjeringen