Norway's defence analysis of Russia
In her annual speech in the Oslo Military Society yesterday, Norwegian Minister of Defence Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen said that the general higher level of tensions between Russia and the West affect relations also in the High North.
-We see and feel the presence of a richer Russia, a Russia which acts more on its own and which uses a more nationalistic and one-sided rhetoric, Minister Strøm-Erichsen said in the speech considered one of the main yearly events by Norwegian defence analysts.
-The message is clear when the Russian aircrafts every week fly along our coast, or the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov sails past us: Russia is no long weak, she added.
Ms. Strøm-Erichsen underlined that the government is strengthening the Norwegian Armed Forces in the north, with enhanced investments both the Navy, the Air Force, the Army and intelligence.
She also said that the region is the centrepiece of the new Norwegian long-term defence plan, and that Norway is working to strengthen NATO presence in the region.
The defence minister also expressed concern about consequences of the recent war between Russia and Georgia.
-There can be no doubt that Georgia acted unwisely and that it must take a considerable part of responsibility for the events in August. At the same time, that does not justify the Russian action. The use of power was excessive and out of proportions, she maintained.
-The events in the Caucasus give reason for thought. The Russian tone in relations with the West has got tougher, and the war with Georgia has aggravated the situation considerably, the minister highlighted.
At the same time, she stressed that Russia is a part of the global economy and that the country is likely to see the importance of staying part of the international community.
In her speech, Ms Strøm-Erichsen said that enhanced High North dialogues have been initiated with other Arctic countries such as Canada, the USA and Denmark, as well as with China, South Korea, Japan and India.
Despite the minister’s clear words about Russia, she still maintains that the country does not pose a threat against Norway. In a recent interview with the armed forces website, she underlined that Norway and Russia have many common interests and that that there is no reason why the good neighbor relationship should not continue.
Norway shares a 196 km long land border with Russia. The countries also have a 175,000 square kilometre disputed zone in the Barents Sea. Norway and Russia cooperate closely within fisheries and have wide-ranging joint initiatives within the Barents Euro-Arctic Cooperation.
Read the whole speech by Defence Minister Anne- Grete Strøm-Erichsen at Regjeringen.no
