PM Støre promises increased contribution to NATO

Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB

Norway will contribute so that NATO gets the resources it needs, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (AP) said before the Alliance’s crisis summit in Brussels.

On Thursday, the world leaders gather for a meeting in the Belgian capital.

In one day, EU summits and extraordinary summits will be held in both the G7 and NATO on the war in Ukraine. And at the latter meeting, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (AP) is also among the participants.

“It is a short daily meeting to confirm Allied unity,” Støre told NTB.

Norway to strengthen contribution

In a statement to the Norwegian parliament (Storting) on Friday, Støre announced that the government expects “increased demands to make relevant capabilities available” to NATO.

At the same time, he promised that Norway would “strengthen its international efforts in NATO forces in Eastern Europe and NATO task forces in general.”

The costs of such an increase in contributions are not known. Støre signals that they will be concretized later, in connection with the long-term plan for the Armed Forces that the government has promised to present during the spring, and in connection with the proposed state budget for 2023, which will be presented this autumn.

But Norway will step forward, he assured.

“Norway is willing to contribute to NATO being relevant and has the resources the Alliance needs to ensure the member countries’ security,” Støre said.

He emphasized that Norway is also able to contribute more to NATO within the current budget.

Waiting for professional military advice

Minister of Defense Odd Roger Enoksen (SP) stated that Norway has so far not received any specific request from NATO.

Instead, a major discussion has begun on how the Allies should respond to the Russian invasion. This process will continue until the next summit, which is planned to occur in the Spanish capital Madrid in June. In the meantime, professional military advice will be prepared for the Allies.

Støre, for his part, emphasized that NATO is a defense alliance that has no offensive goals.

“But NATO must secure the member states. And Russia’s behavior, the military invasion of a neighboring country, provides enough reason for NATO to consider what it takes to ensure security.” 

“Some of our member countries now feel vulnerable – those on the border of the war zone, who have a history that makes them insecure. Then it is our responsibility – and it is important for us – to be able to help provide them with security. We are already doing that today, and there may be a need to do more of that,” he stated.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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