Joint Statement from Norway and Denmark:
Norway and Denmark increase cooperation on defence
Nyhet | Dato: 25.02.2025 | Statsministerens kontor
The current security situation in Europe is challenging. We are now in the fourth year of the Russian full-scale war against Ukraine. We stand together with our Ukrainian partners in the defence of freedom and democracy. Europe has increased its spending on defence and support for Ukraine. We need, however, to do more. A strong transatlantic relationship is crucial for our joint security. We recognize the need for Europe to assume a stronger responsibility for European defence. This is a time for bold choices and increased cooperation.
Norway and Denmark are countries closely intertwined by centuries of history, with close human, economic and cultural ties. We are allies and partners, working closely in a Nordic, JEF (The Joint Expeditionary Force) and NATO-framework to contribute to a stable and secure Euro-Atlantic area. We are both Arctic nations, and share a joint responsibility for the stability and security of the High North.
In the current demanding security situation both nations are increasing their defence spending substantially. We also recognize the need to enhance and deepen our cooperation on defence and security. After our meeting today, we will go back to our governments and detail a proposal for increased cooperation. The focus will be on concrete proposals for cooperation that can be developed in the short to mid-time frame, and will be developed in the course of this spring, with the aim of presenting these in May.
The proposals will look at how we can develop the defence-partnership between our two countries, building on the already close ties between us, and within the framework of Nordic cooperation and the NATO framework. Amongst the areas to be covered would be investigating opportunities for stronger industrial ties to support our own defence-sectors and our continued commitment to Ukraine. We will look at how to strengthen cooperation between our armed forces in all domains, and how we can develop our strategic cooperation in the High North and North Atlantic.
We will continue to work together to strengthen Euro-Atlantic Security and supporting Ukraine, bilaterally with Allies, in a Nordic-Baltic setting and in our transatlantic alliance. We are stronger together.