New vision for Nordic defence cooperation a priority during Sweden’s 2023 chairmanship of NORDEFCO
Published
On 1 January, Sweden assumed the chairmanship of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO). As chair, Sweden is focusing on continued support to Ukraine and adapting cooperation to the new defence and security policy situation in Europe.
“Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine threatens not only Ukraine, but Europe as a whole. As chair, Sweden will strive to ensure that the Nordic countries continue providing and increasing their support to Ukraine,” said Minister for Defence Pål Jonson.
New vision for Nordic defence cooperation to be developed
Sweden’s chairmanship is also focusing on how Nordic defence cooperation is affected by, and needs to be adapted to, new security and defence policy developments. This will include the possible implications of Sweden and Finland becoming members of NATO and Denmark taking part in EU defence cooperation. One of the priorities for 2023 is to develop a new vision for Nordic defence cooperation.
Nordefco 2023: Swedish Prioritites
Several planned meetings
Two ministerial meetings will be held, one in the first half of the year and one in the second. In addition, state secretaries from the Nordic countries will meet. The first ministerial meeting will take place in Iceland.
The Policy Steering Committee, which consists of policy, capability and armament directors, will also meet. In addition, meetings will be held at military level between chiefs of defence and in the framework of the Military Coordination Committee.
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