Today, the Nordic prime ministers and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in Oslo. Defence, marine protection, green change and the electricity crisis are among the main topics at the summit. – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and Finland’s membership in NATO and the climate and energy crisis mean that Nordic cooperation has perhaps never been more important, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who also calls the meeting historic. Disagree about ban on Russian tourists At the press conference at At 17.15 at the Munch Museum, the government leaders largely agreed. But they had very different views on the proposal to deny Russian tourists entry to European countries. – This is not the Russian people’s war. This is Putin’s war, said Scholz, who is critical of the proposal. – I agree with what Olaf said, but at the same time I understand that there are some Europeans and perhaps especially Ukrainians who think it is a bit strange that we welcome Russian tourists, said Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen. – I think there should be a discussion. But this is not a black-and-white question, replied Støre. – Ordinary Russians did not start this war. But we must understand that they support the war. I think it is wrong that Russian citizens can travel to Europe. I don’t think it’s right that they should be able to travel and enjoy the tourist life while Russia is killing Ukrainians, said Finland’s Sanna Marin. OVERALL: The Nordic prime ministers greet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the top of the Munch Museum. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB – Must produce more energy One of the most important topics is electricity and energy. The government leaders were unanimous in their desire to develop renewable energy in order to have a more sustainable electricity network and to phase out Russian gas. – There is no European country that wants to be an island in this matter. We are part of an interwoven network, and we have to find solutions to have reasonable electricity prices. We must produce more energy, including by developing offshore wind and solar power and making hydropower more efficient here in Norway, said Støre. He says Scholz’s visit comes at a watershed in European history. – We are much more than just neighbours. Recent times have shown that we have the same values, but also many of the same challenges. That is why it is necessary that we stand together. We must find new sources of energy to avoid being dependent on Russian fossil energy. But we also have to prepare for the future and develop renewable energy, replied Chancellor Scholz. The two leaders could also announce that Norway and Germany will develop cooperation in hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, offshore wind and battery production. FAMILY PICTURE: The Nordic prime ministers in front of the Munch Museum in Oslo. From left: Magdalena Andersson (Sweden), Sanna Marin (Finland), Jonas Gahr Støre (Norway), Mette Frederiksen (Denmark), Katrin Jakobsdottir (Iceland). Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Strengthened security cooperation The Nordic countries agreed earlier today on a joint declaration to strengthen defense and security cooperation. The declaration comes in light of Sweden and Finland’s imminent NATO membership, as well as Denmark’s choice to participate in the EU’s common defense policy. Specifically, the countries will strengthen cooperation in three areas: air defence, exercises and logistics. Four Norwegian F-35 fighter jets fly over Oslo during the commemoration of Liberation Day on 8 May. Photo: Alf Simensen / NTB Air Force. Together, the Nordic countries will have a strength of several hundred combat aircraft. They will also gain a better situational understanding of the airspace, and use each other’s air bases more easily. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson drives a tank during the military exercise Cold Response 2022. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT / NTB Joint exercises and training. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) announced in June that the government will develop the Cold Response exercise into a Nordic Response exercise. Cold Response was held in Norway in March this year, bringing together 30,000 NATO soldiers in one of the alliance’s largest exercises ever. Two Norwegian soldiers work with logistics and maintenance at the Norwegian NATO base in Lithuania. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Logistics and supply. Last week at the latest, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden established a framework to be able to enter into agreements on defense material and security of supply. – The NATO applications from Finland and Sweden make it possible to see Nordic defense in a larger and more binding context. We must cooperate and operate together as allies in a possible crisis and war. A united Nordic in NATO will give us more weight in the NATO alliance and our common values will gain greater visibility and more impact, stated Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
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