On 28 May, the EU and Norway signed a Security and Defence Partnership. The declaration was signed by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, on behalf of the European Union and by the Norwegian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence.

The new Security and Defence Partnership reflects the strong bilateral relations between the EU and Norway, its most closely associated partner.

The partnership takes EU-Norway relations to the next level, contributing to collective security benefitting both Norwegian and EU citizens.

It covers existing areas of cooperation such as our common continued support to Ukraine, Norway’s participation in EU CSDP missions and operations, and its involvement in EU defence initiatives. It also boosts our practical cooperation in areas like maritime security, cyber security and fighting foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation and introduces new consultations on peace mediation.

The partnership also identifies new opportunities for joint actions, for example on the resilience of critical infrastructure and the protection of underwater infrastructure. It also fosters cooperation on the ground between EU Delegations and Norwegian Embassies.

Background

The EU is enhancing its partnership toolkit on security and defence through new Security and Defence Partnerships with selected bilateral partners. The development of tailored and mutually beneficial partnerships is a key pillar of the EU security and defence work, as highlighted in the EU Strategic Compass. This new instrument builds on our longstanding partnerships.

It is a tailored non-binding political framework of cooperation for selected partners, and it structures our broad and deepening relations across the full spectrum of peace, security and defence.