Negotiations have been concluded between the Head of the European Defence Agency and the Norwegian Ministry of Defence. Pending formal political approval by the EU Council, Norway expects an exchange of letters soon to be concluded between HR/SG Solana and Defence Minister Krohn Devold. These arrangements form a good basis on which to develop further practical cooperation, says Minister Krohn Devold.

Over the last few years, important steps have been taken to increase the European crisis management capability within the EU itself and within the framework of EU-NATO co-operation. The arrangements laid down in the Berlin+ and the Nice-documents constitute an essential framework for co-operation between the EU and NATO, and offer an opportunity for contributions to the ESDP by Non-EU allied countries.

Building on these arrangements, Norway contributes significantly to the ESDP, ranging from force contributions to the EU force catalogue and EU-led military operations and formations (EU Battle Groups) to capability development, technology and armaments related co-operation. Norway takes part in activities directly linked to the areas of responsibility of the EDA. In example Norway participates in 7 out of EU’s 15 capability development groups. Most of these groups coordinate their efforts with identical or similar NATO groups (PCC). Technology and armaments related cooperation currently takes place within the Western European Armaments Group (WEAG) and Western European Armaments Organisation (WEAO).

EU has declared its intentions to incorporate relevant elements of the WEAG/WEAO within, or assimilate relevant WEAG/WEAO principles and practices by the EDA, in accordance with Article 25 of the Joint Action establishing the EDA (2004/551/CFSP). WEAG will be closed down no later than 23. May this year. As a non-EU WEAG-member Norway has together with Turkey been invited to establish administrative arrangements with the Agency.

Norway plays an active role in armaments related co-operation, currently taking place within the Western European Armament Group (WEAG) and the Western European Armament Organisation (WEAO). Norway is also a substantial contributor to the Research and Technology cooperation under WEAG. The governmental funding of such Research and Technology projects amounts to more than 3 million Euro on a yearly basis.

In line with the Joint Action the scope of the administrative arrangements is to provide non-EU WEAG-members with the fullest possible transparency regarding the Agency’s specific projects and programmes. The principle of the relationship within the Administrative Arrangements is based on the desire of the EDA and the Norwegian Ministry of Defence to exchange views and information on matters of common interest falling within the scope of the Agency's mission, and to ensure that the Norwegian Ministry of Defence is kept fully informed of opportunities for future co-operation.

A Consultative Committee will provide a forum for exchanging views and information on matters of common interest. A point of contact will be established on the Agency's staff and MOD Norway will designate a liaison officer at the mission of Norway to the EU.