Solberg to NATO summit with Russia’s new agreement to avoid military clashes – VG

We must look for areas that can make the world better. If we can’t agree on big collaborations, we have to talk about small collaborations, says Erna Solberg to VG in Brussels.

On Monday, she will meet US President Joe Biden and 28 other heads of state and government for a half-day summit in the military alliance.

At the meeting, Russia will be a topic. According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Relations between Russia and NATO are now at the bottom since the Cold War.

laser blocking

The agreement recently agreed by Norway and Russia is an update of the Agreement on Maritime and Air Security from 1990. It entered into force after a long period of escalation of military activity in the upper north.

According to Defense Minister Frank Buck-Jensen (H), it regulates the behavior of the two countries’ military ships and aircraft in international waters and airspace. What is new in the agreement is that it also applies to unmanned aircraft and ships.

It also has its own ban on the use of lasers that can damage personnel or equipment.

Before the Biden-Putin summit

After the summit, Biden will travel to Geneva where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin face to face. Biden agreed that the United States and NATO should engage in dialogue and deterrence regarding Russia.

Erna Solberg believes that the new agreement between Norway and Russia could be an example of the possibility of reaching agreements with Russia.

You are stronger in your criticism of the countries you cooperate with as well, than if you constantly distance yourself from everything.

– This is an example that we have good cooperation at the regional level in the North to find solutions. We don’t want this to be a developed area with greater conflict, the PM tells VG.

Proof of reassurance

The agreement applies between Norway and Russia. But NATO and other Western countries, such as the United States and Britain, which sail and fly more north, are not part of it.

– But we want to coordinate the activities of the allies in the north. We can show our allies how to manage our form of reassurance, so this agreement is a good tool for our allies. It is not difficult to deter. It’s hard to reassure us, Frank Buck Jensen tells VG.

Foreign Minister In Eriksen Soreid is also present at the NATO Summit. Just a few weeks ago She met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Reykjavik.

– It shows that it is possible to have practical cooperation on security with the Russians, at the same time that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies and the European Union on restrictive measures against Russia, Eriksen Soered tells VG.

NATO suspended military cooperation with Russia after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

However, Norway has maintained this agreement on maritime safety. Coast Guard cooperation and search and rescue agreements also exist. The same is true of the direct telephone line between the Northern Fleet in Murmansk and the Norwegian Armed Forces headquarters outside Bodo.