Norway, Germany and Canada's Heads of Government: We Are Ready to Defend the High Horth

One by one, they step out of a battle tank at the Fossmo range in Bardufoss: Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Canada's Prime Minister Mike Carney.

They have gathered to meet Norwegian, German and Canadian forces participating in the major Cold Response exercise, and together with them, demonstrate and mobilize joint power, both militarily and politically.

“I would like to salute Germany and Canada for being such close partners and likeminded countries, aware of what we must do in this moment in time. We are at a critical juncture where we must stand together as an alliance, and where we who share values need to come together and take joint responsibility,” says Støre.

From the podium, the three heads of government offer thanks to their own and other allied soldiers who are now training in the North.

“We owe it to these young men and women to deliver politically what is required to have a strong defense. We see the terrible effects of war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year. We see war again in the Middle East. It is our responsibility to protect ourselves from war,” the Norwegian PM underlines.

Prepared

“We are here to show that we are ready to defend and provide deterrence in the High North,” states Chancellor Merz.

Recently, Germany and Norway strengthened an already close and extensive defense cooperation through the 'Hansa Arrangement.'

Earlier this Friday, during a visit to Andøya Space in Northern Norway, Merz and Støre also announced the development of a stronger strategic space cooperation, with significance for both defense capability, civil preparedness and European autonomy.

The trilateral visit to Bardufoss also serves as a framework for discussing new joint moves for strategic collaboration, notes the chancellor.

“Within the European Union, together with our partners Canada and Norway, we now joint strategies for energy supply, as well as for satellite programs and space aviation. These are topics that we are discussing intensively here,” says Merz.

In the military area, submarine cooperation is also being explored as the Canadian submarine fleet is to be modernized, and Germany and Norway have invited Canada to participate in their joint procurement of Type 212CD submarines.

Joint strength

Prime Minister Carney echoes his colleagues – not least along the lines he put forward in his Davos speech in January. In the speech, he clearly advocated for stronger cooperation among middle powers in the face of increasingly unbridled use of force by great powers.

“The starting point is the strength of our common values. At the same time, we recognise the value of our strength. We are all investing heavily in defense and security and acknowledge that we are much stronger together,” says Carney, continuing:

“Stronger together when we cooperate in areas such as space and defense [bi- and trilaterally, ed. note], but also when we cooperate with other like-minded nations, of which Cold Response is a good illustration.”

 Currently, over 30,000 soldiers from 14 allied nations are training on defending NATO’s northern flank, particularly in Northern Norway, but also in Northern Finland and all across the Nordic region.

Will and practical action

“For Canada, it is very important to participate in this exercise with our special forces. We are learning a lot. Hopefully, we are also passing on a few lessons ourselves.”

“Taking this forward: We will protect our own territories. We will protect the High North and the Arctic. And in doing so, we will also protect NATO, freedom, democracy and human rights,” the Canadian PM emphasizes.

On Thursday, Carney launched an extensive plan to strengthen military defense, societal development and economic security in Canada's Arctic and northern areas.

The plan includes investments of over CAD 32 billion in military infrastructure and is a part of the Canadian strategy to reduce dependence on the United States.

Balance

The Norwegian military capabilities in the North are also undergoing major development, as outlined by Støre.

“Norwegian security rests on three legs: Our own armed forces. The collective defense through NATO. And strong bilateral ties with allies. Currently, we are strengthening all these three dimensions. I am very pleased that we can do this now in the Arctic, as this region has been central to our national security for decades, especially the last 20 years.”

“We want to preserve what we call ‘High North, low tension’ and act predictably in the long term. Cold Response, which is held every two years, is an important activity that everybody around us knows about – and they know that we exercise to maintain the right level,” the Norwegian PM says, alluding to Russia.

 Security in the Arctic is crucial to the security of all allies, Støre also underscores.

 “If we take care of the Arctic in a responsible manner, it also serves Europe, North America and the purpose of the transatlantic relationship. And here, we are demonstrating credible defense and deterrence together.”

Matters of war

As indicated, central topics for the summit in the North were also the significant instability in the wake of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, as well as the major regional war in the Middle East.

Støre, Merz and Carney confirmed strong support for Ukraine and will to sustain pressure on Moscow. To the press, they expressed clear disagreement with the Trump Administration's new decision to lift some of the sanctions on Russian oil.

Another unanimous position among the three was that the military conflict in the Middle East gives cause for deep concern and that diplomatic engagement is crucial in order to counteract further escalation.

“The High North, where we are now, may be geographically far away from Tehran, but the war has a direct impact on our security and energy supply,” Merz points out and continues:

“We do share important objectives with the United States and Israel. Iran’s nuclear weapons program and ballistic missile program must end, and Iran needs to stop inciting terror. But with each day this war lasts, more questions emerge, and things become increasingly clear: We need a convincing plan on how this war can come to an end.”