United front against Russian threat

The Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, has issued a joint statement with Nordic defence ministers on the need for closer cooperation in defence matters to counter the growing threat posed by Russia.

Detoriating security situation

The announcement, reported on Norwegian news website Aftenposten this morning, maintains that the security situation in the Nordic region has considerably worsened over the last year and warns that Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden must prepare themselves for a possible security crisis.

“No longer business as usual”

“We must acknowledge that things are no longer ‘business as usual’,” writes the group, referring specifically to Russia’s conduct towards Ukraine. In their view, Russia’s “illegal” annexation of Crimea is a clear violation of national rights.

“We must judge Russia by its actions, not by Kremlin rhetoric. […] Russia has shown that it is prepared to use military force to achieve its political goals, even if this means trampling on basic international human rights,” the ministers declare.

Various forms of cooperation

Closer cooperation between the Nordic countries will focus on exchanging information on airspace activity in the five countries. The announcement also pledges continued Nordic cooperation in the fight against cyber-terrorism. Joint military exercises will be stepped up and efforts will be made to foster Nordic cooperation in manufacturing, including military equipment.

The full Aftenposten article (in Norwegian) can be seen here.