Svalbard – a key in Nordic defence cooperation

Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Photo Wikipedia

Norway will benefit from the other Nordic countries’ closer integration in maritime and air space issues in the High North, newspaper Nordlys writes in an editorial. The Svalbard archipelago can become the core in a future Nordic cooperation in the Arctic, the newspaper maintains.

Nordlys positively assesses the recommendations in the report on Nordic Foreign Policy and Defence Policy, presented by former foreign minister Thorvald Stoltenberg last week.

“Norway needs alliances and a Nordic path towards Great Britain, Germany and other major European countries might prove both natural and timely,” the editorial reads.

The newspaper believes the Svalbard archipelago can become the core in a future Nordic cooperation on Arctic issues.

“In addition to climate research, we should consider Svalbard’s role in connection with increased Arctic shipping. Also supply, preparedness and rescue issues should be developed with a Nordic perspective”, the newspaper highlights. 

Source: Barentsobserver.com