Norway and Nordic nations pledge stronger Arctic security cooperation with Canada
Norway, Canada, and the Nordic countries have committed to deepening defense and security collaboration in the Arctic, warning of growing challenges from geopolitical shifts, emerging technologies, and climate change.
At a summit in Oslo on Sunday, the prime ministers of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Canada issued a joint statement emphasizing their shared responsibility to “ensure that people in our part of the world can live in peace.” The leaders pledged to align with NATO’s goals to bolster deterrence and defense in the Arctic while expanding cooperation on hybrid threats, defense capabilities, and dual-use infrastructure.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney underscored the strategic importance of the partnership, stating that working with the Nordic countries was “central to Canada’s interests.” He highlighted shared concerns over Arctic security, evolving warfare tactics, and technological disruptions.
The agreement follows Canada’s recent announcement of a strengthened military presence in its northern territories, including new bases and upgraded airfields. “We will no longer rely on others to defend Arctic security or our economy,” Carney said on Thursday, affirming Canada’s commitment to “full sovereignty” in the region.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre echoed the focus on Arctic stability but stressed that transatlantic cooperation—particularly with the U.S.—remains critical. “The U.S. is our closest ally. We share vital interests in the north,” he said, amid broader concerns about shifting U.S. engagement under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
Beyond defense, the nations agreed to update trade agreements, with Norway and Canada targeting expanded collaboration in green technology, AI, and space exploration. Støre and Carney, alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, visited Norway’s Cold Response military exercises in Troms earlier this week, inspecting troops and touring the Andøya Space Center.
The summit’s outcomes reflect mounting regional unease over Russia’s Arctic ambitions and the need for coordinated Western responses. The leaders reaffirmed continued military activity along NATO’s Russian border and sustained support for Ukraine.
Source: NRK