Joint Press Statement
31 March 2016
NORDEFCO Ministerial Meeting 30-31 March 2016, Frederiksberg Palace, Denmark
Regional security challenges discussed by the Nordic
defence ministers meeting in Copenhagen 30-31 March
The Nordic ministers of defence met at Frederiksberg Palace and had a good
and open dialogue on Nordic defence and security matters. Furthermore, the
ministers strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Brussels on 22 March.
In relation to the terrorist attacks last week the ministers stated:
“Last week Brussels – the heart of Europe – was hit by callous terrorist attacks. Attacks
not only on Belgium, but on all the values we share and promote. We strongly condemn
the attacks and stand in solidarity with the Belgian people against the violent, cynical and
fanatic terrorists behind these attacks. We are resolute in our determination to prevent
and defeat terrorism and to fight ISIL, and we discussed this during the meeting. We will
do this by standing even closer together – as the free democracies we are.”
The ministers also stated:
“Nordic defence cooperation is progressing well. In recent years we have seen an
increased cooperation taking place and priorities to find effective solutions to our security
and defence needs. Implementation of secure communication between the Nordic
ministries of defence and military headquarters will be operational this year. Furthermore,
we decided that the Nordic countries will provide air transport to the UN operation in Mali.
This will create much needed sustainability and predictability for the UN, and will provide a
useful model for enhanced Nordic cooperation in future UN operations.
We also discussed current security challenges in our region. Closer cooperation among the
Nordic countries and the Baltic States contributes to enhanced security in our region. We
remain concerned with the military activities in the Baltic Sea Region and follow these
activities closely. Therefore, we urge Russia to be transparent and predictable when
conducting military activities. Furthermore, we reiterate our position that the Russian
aggression against Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea are violations of
international law and other international agreements”.
Within the framework of NORDEFCO, the ministers meet twice every year to discuss areas
of ongoing and potential cooperation. The following ministers participated in the meeting:
Danish Minister of Defence Peter Christensen, Swedish Minister of Defence Peter Hultqvist,
Norwegian Minister of Defence Ine Eriksen Søreide, the Finnish Minister of Defence Jussi
Niinistö and Director of Department for Security and Defence for Iceland Arnor
Sigurjónsson.