Signing ceremony.
The Narvik Agreement was signed in Paris 27 May 2026. Credit: Christian Liewig / Office of the Prime Minister of Norway

Checked against the delivery.

The press conference was held in both French and English.

Thank you, Mr. President, it is a great pleasure for me to be here to witness the signature of the Narvik Agreement.

I must emphasize that I was moved the first time I saw the Square de Narvik in Paris. – And not only in Paris, we also see it elsewhere in France, in villages, small towns, there is a Square de Narvik. And as you just said, it was the first time that the Allies won against the Nazis. – Those allies were France, the United Kingdom, Poland and Norway, by the way, so – this is why it is a good name for this agreement.

Today, I think we are at a point of collaboration and cooperation between Norway and France that we have never seen before. We see integration in several areas, and today it is in the area that affects the security, the survival of our peoples and our values – so, this Narvik Agreement is both comprehensive and modern.

Tomorrow marks 86 years since Norwegian and French soldiers fought side by side in Narvik, securing the Allies’ first victory of the Second World War. Our forces also fought together on the beaches of Normandy four years later. And it was during the D-Day commemoration two years ago that I met the then French Defence Minister who is now your Prime Minister. Norway and France were also among the 12 founding members of NATO in 1949.

When you visited Oslo last year, Mr. President, our two countries entered into a Strategic Partnership. It was a first great step between our two countries. Alongside the United Kingdom, France is the European ally with the strongest naval presence in the Arctic. When NATO held its “Cold Response” exercise together in Northern Norway and Northern Finland in March, France had the largest contingent of troops – 4,300 – among all Allies – testifying to the presence and relevance of our cooperation. These exercises, the operational planning, the pre-positioning arrangements – all this enable us to act quickly and closely coordinated when it matters most.

The Narvik Agreement makes our two countries safer. And I’ll repeat this for all those who listen to me in Norway, that we are now committed, in terms of defense, in terms of dissuasion, to prevent, to deter attacks and especially the worst aggression that would consist of using nuclear weapons against populations.

We are demonstrating that we, each country in Europe, invest more in – and are ready to take on a larger responsibility for – European security. Deterrence is important and useful given today’s situation in which we live. Indeed, we need to invest more, not only at the level of each country but in a coordinated way so that what we have is effective and relevant.

Together with nine other European countries, Norway will also participate in a process linked to the French initiative which you call forward or advanced deterrence – on how French nuclear weapons can contribute to security and deterrence in Europe.

Your initiative, Mr. President, is important. Indeed, for many years, French nuclear weapons were exclusively intended for the security of France. France is now opening a dialogue with its close Allies – on how its nuclear weapons also can contribute to European security and deterrence against military threats. Norway wants to participate in this dialogue, alongside partners such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Germany and Nordic partners.

At the same time, Norway will continue to give priority to promoting arms control and non-proliferation. And we are concerned that not much progress is made in those areas. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that new countries do not acquire nuclear weapons.

Norway shares an almost 200 kilometres border with Russia, which is waging a brutal full-scale war against another neighbouring country – Ukraine. Russia's largest nuclear arsenal is located a few kilometres from that border in the High North. And again, these weapons are not aimed at us directly, but they are a threat to many countries.

While Europe assumes a greater responsibility for its own security, our primary deterrence will continue to be provided by NATO. The United States has made it clear that its nuclear guarantee to Europe remains unchanged. The French capabilities are therefore an important contribution to NATO's overall deterrence. A European complement built around French nuclear capabilities will also have the greatest impact provided by our allies to enhance our security and our stability.

So, dear friends, I would add that on a daily basis we are witnessing the most serious security situation since the Second World War. And I remember that during your visit to Kyiv, Mr. President, in June 2022 – when I went in a week later – and at that time, you know, on the long train ride, you gave an interview to the press. And this train journey allows us to truly grasp and understand the situation – the ongoing war in Ukraine.

And that's why we are strengthening our cooperation with friends and Allies, including France, so that we can build a stronger, more solid foundation for our security. Norway is contributing financially and the French capabilities are also making a very solid contribution to the defence of Ukraine and the protection of Ukrainian civilians. – When we are together, we are stronger. So, dear friend, Mr. President, as you said, let's be strong, let's be united and let's be free.

Thank you.

 

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