Norway to join international centre for countering hybrid threats

Increasingly complex challenges and constellations of actors are affecting the security landscape. The use of hybrid strategies has become steadily more widespread. A number of countries are experiencing disinformation activities, propaganda campaigns linked to elections, and the hacking of critical infrastructure. The effects of these and other hybrid strategies are compounded by our societies’ increased dependence on cyberspace. 

In order to address these challenges, taking a coherent approach and cooperating closely at the national and international level are essential. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Justice and Public Security have therefore together decided to intensify efforts in this area, and Norway’s participation in the new European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats is part of this. Norway will cooperate with allies and close partners at the Centre, with a view to gaining a better understanding of hybrid threats, and finding better ways of dealing with them. NATO and the EU have also established cooperation in this area.

The aims of the centre are to increase our understanding of hybrid threats, of vulnerabilities that can be exploited in hybrid operations, and of how the resilience of societies can be improved.

Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the UK, Sweden, Germany and the US have already signed the Memorandum of Understanding on joining the Centre. The European External Action Service and NATO Secretariat will also participate actively in the Centre’s work.  

The Centre was established in April 2017. Norway’s Ambassador to Finland, Åge Grutle, signed the agreement on behalf of Norway.