UK and Norway sign joint ‘security, sustainability and prosperity’ statement — MercoPress
UK and Norway sign joint declaration on ‘security, sustainability and prosperity’
Norway cooperates “more extensively with the UK than any other country in the world”.”/>
PM Store observed that the new statement will mean that Norway cooperates “more extensively with the UK than any other country in the world”.
A new joint statement between the UK and Norway has been signed, saying the countries will work together to strengthen “security, sustainability and prosperity” in Europe and beyond.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Norwegian counterpart, Mr Jonas Gahr Store, took the decision following a meeting in London, where they reportedly “underlined their full support” for any choice of Nordic partners to strengthen their security.
This comes after Finland’s leaders announced their support for the country’s NATO membership. Finland has previously opted to stay neutral and stay away from NATO for fear of upsetting Russia, with which it shares an 830-mile land border.
Sweden, which along with Finland signed historic security assurance statements with the UK this week, is also expected to decide to join NATO in the coming days.
Earlier, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told broadcasters it was a “historic” time for his region.
According to No 10, PM Store observed that the new statement will mean that Norway cooperates “more extensively with the UK than any other country in the world”.
During their meeting, the leaders reportedly discussed the security situation in northern Europe and stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “barbaric” invasion of Ukraine and his “hostility” towards neighboring states were ” totally unjustified”.
Downing Street said the leaders agreed on the need for NATO allies to support Ukraine politically, taking a “unified approach” that “avoids giving Putin permission to twist the knife further in the wound”.
The couple also spoke of the “pressing need” to boost sustainable energy supply, No 10 said, with Prime Minister Johnson noting that “the sky was the limit” when it came to collaboration between the two countries on the question.
The new joint statement on UK-Norway relations focuses on seven key areas: security and defence; World challenges; energy, economic and investment cooperation; climate change and environmental issues; research and innovation; culture and education; and strategic dialogue and institutional exchanges.