Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Oslo further cements Alliance unity

NATO’s 31 member countries are attending an informal meeting in Oslo today. Sweden’s foreign minister will also take part as an invitee. The meeting is in preparation for the NATO summit in Vilnius in July. The discussions will primarily focus on continued support to Ukraine.  

‘Long-term civilian and military support to Ukraine will be essential. Norway is doing its part with the establishment of the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine. This multi-year support programme will provide almost 7 billion Euro over a period of five years,’ said Ms Huitfeldt.  

The ministerial meeting is being held at Oslo City Hall. The last time Norway hosted a meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs was in 2007.  

‘This meeting is an opportunity to reaffirm our strong transatlantic ties and our resolve to stand together to address common challenges in our neighbourhood. Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine has highlighted how important NATO is to our security,’ said Ms Huitfeldt. 

Maintaining a presence in the High North is one of Norway’s most important tasks in NATO.  

‘The meeting provides an opportunity for me to draw attention to the important role Norway plays for NATO in the north. A large part of Russia’s strategic nuclear weapons are located close to the border with Norway. We monitor military activity closely. Another of Norway’s key tasks is to ensure a stable energy supply to Europe. We welcome NATO’s engagement in efforts to protect critical infrastructure on the seabed,’ said Ms Huitfeldt.  

Finland and Sweden applied for membership of NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland has formally joined the Alliance and Sweden will do the same once its accession has been approved by all the NATO members. Sweden now participates in NATO meetings as an official NATO Invitee.  

‘Sweden must become a full-fledged NATO member as soon as possible, and before the summit in Vilnius in July,’ said Ms Huitfeldt.