New
Western allies want more “military mobility”. Norway, along with the United States and Canada, has now joined the project which will facilitate the crossing of borders by military forces in Europe.
Together with the United States and Canada, Norway received full participation in the Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) project on Monday 14 December.
– The security policy situation in Europe has highlighted the need to improve military mobility capability, says Defense Minister Odd Roger Enoksen (Sp), according to the government websites.
– One of the biggest challenges of the current system has been the clearance procedures for military forces crossing borders in Europe, which are characterized by large national variations.
He adds that the project aims to increase both Norwegian and European security and Norway’s relationship with NATO and other allies in Europe.
Enoksen also points out that it is still up to each country to decide which forces are allowed to enter the territory.
– Participation safeguards the interests of national sovereignty, and it will always be up to the Norwegian authorities to grant foreign forces access to Norwegian territory.
The Pesco project was launched in 2017. In May this year, EU foreign ministers decided that Norway, the United States and Canada would also be allowed to participate as third countries.
