The Prime Minister’s statement at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General

As delivered (transcript)

Thank you – and let me first say a few personal words.

I appreciated that just when you took office, you made the trip to the North. You joined me in the Arctic. You got an insight into what this means, as an experienced European Prime Minister, but still you got – with your own eyes – to see some of the capabilities. And you were back at the ‘Cold Response’, which was the biggest NATO exercise so far this year; this time coordinated with Finland, which is translating and reflecting a new reality in the North.

Now, I am very happy to be here a few weeks ahead of Ankara. We are following that with great interest and attention.

You referred to the Norwegian budget spending. Last week, I was able to salute the fact that the Norwegian Parliament unanimously backed our long-term defense plan. And that is something we've never had before.

We have previously also been able to gather all political parties behind our Ukraine package, which is now the second; we are second to Germany supporting Ukraine, in total numbers. So, per capita, I think we're doing quite well.

But again, the fact that it is support across the board; so – whoever will be responsible for the Norwegian governments in the year to come, they have this basis. And I think that is important.

We are basically making a major reshuffle of all our defense. And we will live up to the Hague pledges.

My second point is that increasing defense spending in NATO cannot only be country-after-country doing individual things. It has to be done in coordinating capabilities. – Because this is going to strengthen NATO's capability. It is going to strengthen our regional plans. All Nordic countries are now assembled in the command structure in Norfolk, Virginia. And we are getting a new structure which is reflecting modern realities.

We are also taking greater European responsibility. And I think, sometimes people refer to the fact that with this current American administration, Europe must do more. But this is an issue which pre-dates the current administration. Now it is happening.

And from the Norwegian side, I can tell you that we emphasize strengthening Europe's capability by strengthening that capability inside NATO.

We do it also by deepening our bilateral cooperation with our European partners. The US is Norway's most important ally – because of the special circumstances in the High North, living next to Russia.

But we have deepened – with a modern defense agreement with the United Kingdom, from whom we will buy modern frigates. We are deepening with Germany, from whom we will buy modern submarines. And last week, I signed with an agreement also with France on defense. And we are working with Poland, the Netherlands and Canada to do the same.

So – this is about updating the European capability.

Finally, on Ukraine, we have to be steadfast supporters of Ukraine's ability to defend itself. I was with President Zelenskyy two days ago in Tallinn. He is at a better place, but it is at a place nobody would like to be – because they are under constant attack at the front line, taking amounts of lives, and also living through the nightly and daily attacks by missile drones from Russia.

So – we have to support Ukraine because this is about fairness and principles, and also about Europe's ability to withhold standards for how we live together. You cannot seize territory from another country like Russia is aiming to do. And that is why NATO coordination is so important.

You mentioned, Mark, these packages for Ukraine. Norway has been a supporter of that and when going to Ankara, we will also have to encourage our other allies to stand up to that – because this is what is going to make Ukraine able to withstand that test.

So – thank you for receiving me. I look forward to go into our talks. Thank you.

 

Read more from the press conference:

• Joint press conference | NATO Transcript