– We need a common understanding of how we preserve peace, says Jonas Gahr Støre. In Bodø harbor on Wednesday evening, he received Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Together they were given a tour on board KV Svalbard. The two new NATO members will spend a day in Bodø raising the issue of joint security in the northern regions with Jonas Gahr Støre. The three heads of state were given a tour of KV Svalbard. Photo: Bente H Johansen / news “Ordning och reda” in this area Støre made it clear that coordination between the armed forces, Norway’s maritime perspective, as well as Finland’s and Sweden’s inland perspective are things that must be discussed. And: – What does it mean for civil infrastructure such as roads and railways to be able to benefit each other? He emphasized that defense colleagues already talk a lot about these topics, but that it is important for him to raise it on a political level. Jonas Gahr Støre will now raise important questions about security in the northern regions to a political level. Photo: Bente H Johansen / news – In a crisis, we expect the main help to come from the sea, and we plan for that, Støre told the press on board KV Svalbard and added: – We need a common understanding of how we preserve peace , stability, “ordning och reda” in this area. Secret tour All three heads of state arrived in Bodø on Thursday evening. It is the first time they meet as a trio after Sweden and Finland became members of NATO. Now they will plan future defense cooperation in the north. The work started with a working dinner in the ship’s hangar, and on Thursday they will go on a RIB trip to the Saltstraumen outside Bodø, one of the world’s strongest maelstroms. The heads of state are unlikely to see the Saltstraumen in great summer weather. It is reported to be 11 degrees, light breeze and cloudy on Thursday morning. Photo: Vebjørn Karlsen After the sea trip, the three go on to a secret briefing inside the Norwegian Armed Forces’ operational headquarters at Reitan. The meeting in Bodø takes place just three weeks before the NATO summit in Washington, where Norway has two new neighboring countries as cooperation partners. – I am happy that we are having this meeting before we travel to Washington, where one of the topics is the command structure, says Støre. The choice of Bodø as the meeting place is not accidental – the proximity to the sea, but at the same time not far from Sweden, and with the Norwegian Armed Forces’ operational headquarters in the city. – We stand stronger when our neighbors know the realities, and they will get a very good introduction during the next 24 hours, promised Støre, who will therefore continue the meeting beyond Wednesday evening and Thursday. Published 19.06.2024, at 22.10 Updated 19.06.2024, at 22.12
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Three Nordic heads of state meet in Bodø – the first time since Sweden and Finland joined NATO – news Nordland
