Page 112 - North Atlantic and Nordic Defense

North European and North Atlantic Defense: The Challenges Return

Question: As the Nordics enhance their practical cooperation and collaborate to deal with the Russian
challenge, what is the US role?

Gary Schaub Jr.: As NORDEFCO was established, the Brits launched the Northern Group and the US launched
EPINE or the “Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe.”

Both the Northern Group and EPINE play off of NORDEFCO and its meeting structure.

But as NORDEFCO has gone from more political and symbolic gestures to more effective real world
collaboration, both the Northern Group (especially with Brexit on the way) and EPINE with the new
Administration in power need to evolve.

The Nordics are looking for practical ways ahead on credible deterrence with regard to the Russians. That
will be a test for both the Northern Group and EPINE.

In this collaborative environment between equal—but small—powers, the suggestions of a Britain or US could
smooth over the small barriers that might keep these otherwise pragmatic nations from doing what is in their
own, and their region’s, common interests.

There is a huge opportunity for the new Administration to shape a thoughtful proactive NORDIC agenda as
the Nordics themselves seek a more regional approach. And as F-35s and P-8s come into the region, there is
an opportunity to leverage common assets to shape a more proactive and common effort towards regional
defense and security. The Administration should seize it.

Editor’s Note: With regard to NORDEFCO, please go to the following site:

http://www.nordefco.org/

With regard to the Easy Access agreement, see the following:

http://www.nordefco.org/Memorandum-of-Understanding-on-Easy-Access-signed-by-Nordic-Defence-
Ministers

At the Nordic Defence Ministers meeting in Copenhagen 9 November, the Nordic Ministers signed
Memorandum of Understanding on Easy Access.

The meeting was held as the final meeting during the Danish chairmanship of the Nordic Defence
Cooperation (NORDEFCO). In addition, discussions were held in the Northern Group and NB8 format
with the participation of Baltic Ministers and Germany the UK, Poland and the Netherlands.

At the meeting, the Nordic ministers signed a framework agreement (Memorandum of Understanding)
to enable easier access to each other’s territories. The agreement covers Denmark, Norway, Sweden,
Finland and Iceland and will strengthen security in the Baltic region by making it easier to access each
other’s air, sea and land territories with military capabilities. The agreement also makes it easier to
carry out exercises and training in the Nordic region.

After the meeting the Nordic Defence Ministers published a joint statement stressing the importance of
the signed agreement:

Second Line of Defense

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