This event was part of Arendalsuka 2024 Follow this link to watch the recording of the event (in Norwegian)
Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway’s Chief of Defense, introduced the PRIO-hosted event on Norway's new role in NATO at Arendalsuka. Kristoffersen emphasized how Finland's and Sweden's NATO memberships forces Norway to complement its traditional north-south orientation in defense with an east-west orientation. With Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO, Norway has become a key part of a Nordic-Baltic operational area linked by the Baltic Sea. The Cap of the North Sea and the Barents Sea remain crucial for NATO, but Norway is now expected to also play a vital transit role in transporting goods to the East, in addition to securing NATO's expanded eastern border. Moreover, Kristoffersen underscored the importance of an integrated Nordic region within NATO and stressed the need to overcome all barriers to Nordic defense integration.
The panel discussion that followed included Grete Aspelund, Leader of NCC Nordic Industry, Benedicte Røvik, President of YATA and member of the Norwegian Defense Commission, and Elisabeth S. Aarsæther, Director of the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB). Kristian Berg Harpviken, Research Professor at Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) moderated the discussion.
Norway's emerging role in transporting goods eastward to Sweden and Finland presents a significant challenge, as Elisabeth S. Aarsæther emphasized. Moreover, Aarsæther underlined the importance of Norway operating eastward in a way that coordinates well with Sweden and Finland.
Another challenge is the need for all Nordic countries to update and enhance their civil infrastructure, which Grete Aspelund highlighted as critical for defense and security. Aspelund argued that involving the private and civilian sectors at an early stage is essential for building a robust civilian defense structure, underscoring the need for a large-scale, integrated approach to defense.
The historical and geographical differences between the Nordic countries were highlighted by Benedicte Røvik as another challenge. With the Swedish and Finnish navies focused on the Baltic Sea, and Norway's naval priorities centered on the Arctic and Northern territories, coordination and integration of the Nordic navies is more challenging. Røvik and other panelists also noted the lack of personnel and expertise as an additional obstacle to effective cooperation.
