Historical archive

Nordic and Nordic-Baltic defence ministers' meetings in Oslo, 7 — 8 November 2006

Historical archive

Published under: Stoltenberg's 2nd Government

Publisher: Ministry of Defence

The ministers discussed in their meeting issues such as participation in international operations, SHIRBRIG, Nordic-Baltic support to security sector reform in Ukraine, and also topical NATO and EU questions, in particular related to the upcoming NATO summit in Riga.

Press release

No.: 55/2006
Date: 08.11.06

Nordic and Nordic-Baltic defence ministers’ meetings in Oslo, 7 – 8 November 2006

The Nordic Defence Ministers Meeting was conducted in Norway 7 November 2006 followed by the Nordic-Baltic Defence Minister Meeting the day after. The Nordic ministers concluded their meeting by approving and signing a new agreement that regulates the Nordic military co-operation NORDCAPS (Nordic Co-ordinated Arrangement for Peace Support). The Nordic and Baltic ministers discussed in their meeting issues such as participation in international operations, SHIRBRIG, Nordic-Baltic support to security sector reform in Ukraine, and also topical NATO and EU questions, in particular related to the upcoming NATO summit in Riga. Also the need for close coordination between military and civilian resources in international missions was discussed.

The Nordic Defence Ministers meetings are held twice a year and are based on a close and informal dialogue on issues of common interest. The Nordic-Baltic Defence Ministers meetings are arranged once a year, and offer the Nordic and Baltic nations an opportunity to debate defence policy related issues and co-operation within this field.

The new NORDCAPS agreement replaces the previous agreement from 2002. Pursuant to this new agreement emphasis is put on close harmonization and coordination of the Nordic nation’s participation in international operations. The Nordic nations have on several occasions experienced the benefit of co-operation, in advance of as well as during the executing of military efforts. The Nordic Pool of Forces Register and the ambition of establishing a Nordic brigade, will in the future NORDCAPS cease to exist. The size of a future possible Nordic troop contribution will from now on be defined case by case. According to the new agreement, increased emphasis is to be laid on co-operation and coordination of common support to security sector reform, regional capacity building and other kinds of military education.

The Nordic and Baltic Ministers have agreed to strengthen their co-operation within concrete projects. In conjunction with this a co-operation aiming at supporting defence- and security sector reform in Ukraine has been established. This project has been well received by the Ukrainian Defence authority, and is also underpinning a stronger regional co-operation between the Nordic and Baltic nations.

Sweden will from the beginning of next year take over as Chairman in the Nordic Defence Policy Co-operation.