OSCE to visit military bases in Northern Norway
A delegation from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) visits Bodø Air Base and the Garrison of Sør-Varanger next week.
Representatives from 66 countries have been invited to Norway to take a closer look at facilities and equipment at the two bases, Forsvarets Forum reports. 56 of the nations have signed the Vienna Document of 1999, the others are partner states.
According to the Vienna Document, the participating states exchange annually information on their military forces concerning organization, manpower and major weapon and equipment systems. All participating states are obliged to invite the other states for inspection visits every fifth year. Recently a delegation of Russian officers visited the Ørlandet Air Base,NRK reports.
In Sør-Varanger the delegation will be shown the garrison at Høybuktmoen outside Kirkenes, as well as the Norwegian-Russian border line. The Norwegian defence expects that about 50 persons will take part in the inspections.
OSCE is based in Vienna. With 56 participating States from Europe, Central Asia and North America, the organization forms the largest regional security organization in the world.
