Press Statement Nordic-Baltic Defence Ministers Meeting 15 November 2011, Örebro, Sweden Further Enhanced Nordic-Baltic Cooperation
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2011 Press release 16 November 2011 Ministry of Defence Press Statement Nordic-Baltic Defence Ministers meeting 15 November 2011, Örebro, Sweden Further enhanced Nordic-Baltic Cooperation - The Nordic and Baltic Defence Ministers decided to further enhance the Nordic-Baltic Defence cooperation. We all agree that our cooperation should be mutually rewarding with a focus on an improved operational out-put and cost-effectiveness. As a consequence of today's discussion a number of areas will be further explored, including a deepened and developed co-operation on veteran issues, training and exercises, education and armaments procurement. - The ministers have discussed gender issues in military operations. In 2012 a centre of competence on gender in military operations will be launched in Sweden. - The Ministers have also exchanged views on the emerging threats and challenges to the Nordic-Baltic region, including cyber defence, energy security and green policy issues as well as defence sector support to civilian crisis management in case of emergency. - The ministers agreed to convene an expert level working group to formulate proposals to strengthen cyber defence policy. Contact Henrik Hedberg +46 8 405 10 00 Jesper Gyberg Press Assistant +46 8 405 25 30 +46 70 618 42 53 email to Jesper Gyberg Press release 15 November 2011 Ministry of Defence Press Statement NORDEFCO Ministers meeting 15 November 2011 The Nordic Defence Cooperation The Nordic ministers met today on 15 November and have confirmed their commitment to the Nordic cooperation as a broad, flexible and effective cooperation. In a European setting of Economic instability and reduced defence budgets in many countries, Nordic countries expressed a will to enhance our cooperation even further. The Nordic defence cooperation has already proven to produce tangible results both politically as well in practical terms. - We have underlined the need for continued Engagement of Key Leaders on political level as well as in our National Armed Forces in order to uphold and further develop our cooperation. - We have had valuable discussions on Pooling & Sharing of capabilities. Through Nordic cooperation we see opportunities to increase our operational capability, cut costs and achieve improved sustainability. It is our strong conviction that an enhanced and more focused cooperation will bring gains for the Nordic region and will increase our abilities to act within an international or regional framework. - The Ministers took stock of the important Nordic cooperation on the support for capacity building of the Eastern African Standby Forces. The significance of providing African partners with military capacities that make it possible to handle own security challenges was stressed. The ministers expressed their continued support to this endeavour. The ministers have also discussed veteran soldier issues based on a survey conducted this year. The ministers agreed on the intention to establish a common ground for future work, in order to further explore the potential for cooperation on concrete veteran issues. The Nordic countries have suffered tragic losses in operations abroad. - We express our deepest respect for and honour the fallen soldiers who have risked their lives in support of peace and security. We offer our condolences to the families of these soldiers and we extend our gratitude to all veterans for their personal commitment to the security of our respective nations. Enhanced Nordic Cooperation Afghanistan The ministers agreed that it is important to continue to contribute with support to and training of the Afghan security forces, thereby enabling a continued transition of responsibility of security in our Areas of Responsibility. - We all share the view that there has been considerable progress by the Afghan security forces together with ISAF forces in several areas of the country which has weakened the opposing forces and their resistance. Despite positive signals on improved security the situation in Afghanistan remains serious. - We have agreed to continue to study the possibilities for a strengthened and deepened Nordic cooperation in Afghanistan. Cooperation on Tactical Air Transport The ministers have agreed to explore possibilities for cooperation on tactical air transport. The need for strategic, operational and tactical mobility has become increasingly decisive for the efficient use of military means. Our defence forces contains fewer, but more advanced units that needs quick transportation to where they are best needed, whether that is nationally or abroad. Furthermore, tactical air transport is a crucial asset in support for humanitarian operations. The ministers believe that cooperation on tactical air transport could increase operational effectiveness, ensure economic efficiency and sustainability. - The ministerial and military structures within NORDEFCO are tasked to explore a wide range of possibilities for cooperation. The main countries for the study will be Denmark, Norway and Sweden who today operate the C-130 system. However, close cooperation with Finland and Iceland with their existing capabilities will also be studied. - As incoming chair of NORDEFCO, Denmark presented its priorities of work for 2012, which included Nordic cooperation in Eastern Africa, High North/Arctic, bi- and multilateral cooperation/Pooling and Sharing and the Nordic Defence Industry Seminar in Copenhagen in May 2012. Nick Haekkerup Minister for Defence, Denmark Stefan Wallin Minister for Defence, Finland Gunnar Gunnarsson Ambassador, Iceland Espen Barth Eide Minister for Defence, Norway Sten Tolgfors Minister for Defence, Sweden Contact Henrik Hedberg +46 8 405 10 00 Jesper Gyberg Press Assistant +46 8 405 25 30 +46 70 618 42 53 email to Jesper Gyberg Press release 09 November 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Defence Continued Swedish KFOR participation in Kosovo The Government has today decided to present a Bill to the Riksdag on continued Swedish participation in the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR). The Government is seeking the approval of the Riksdag for an extended mandate until the end of December 2013. It is proposed that up to April 2012, Swedish forces in KFOR comprise no more than 70 people, to be subsequently reduced by the end of December 2013, when the current contribution ends. In 2009, Sweden began a reduction of its contribution in connection with NATO's gradual reduction. "As Kosovo's own ability to maintain law and order in the country is strengthened and more and more security functions are handed over to the Kosovo authorities, the importance of a military presence is reduced. It is therefore reasonable that the Swedish contribution reflects the general reduction," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt. "Military commitments within the framework of KFOR will continue in 2012 and 2013, with the primary focus on the military Liaison and Observation Teams to which Sweden has contributed for more than a year. The Swedish reduction will take place under the condition that the positive developments in Kosovo continue," says Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors. Teleconference Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will comment on the Bill during a teleconference from Kosovo/Serbia, today, Wednesday 9 November, at 15.30. To participate in the teleconference, please contact Press Secretary Anna Charlotta Johansson on telephone: +46 70 356 30 32. Contact Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00 Henrik Hedberg +46 8 405 10 00 Press release 28 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Defence Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency supports UN efforts for Somali refugees in Ethiopia Today, Thursday, staff from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency are travelling to Ethiopia to participate in the UN mission in the refugee camps in Dollo Ado, in response to the famine in the Horn of Africa. The Agency will contribute by building a housing and office camp for about 30 UN employees. The estimated cost of SEK 5.5 million will be paid by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). "In view of the acute refugee situation in the Horn of Africa, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency will now help the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, to provide more effective reception of Somali refugees in Ethiopia. This is vital to enable humanitarian aid to reach as many people in need as possible," says Minister for Related International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. Sweden's support to the crisis in the Horn of Africa "Through the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, Sweden has long experience of supporting aid organisations on the ground in a disaster area," says Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors. "A couple of examples are in Haiti after the earthquake and support to UN efforts to take care of refugees from Libya. It is positive that the Agency's capabilities can now be of use to UNHCR in helping refugees in need in the acute situation in the Horn of Africa." Approximately 3 500 people are leaving Somalia each day and making their way to refugee camps, mainly in Kenya and Ethiopia. The large number of refugees has overwhelmed the receiving countries, which are struggling with drought and the severe humanitarian situation of their own people. There are now approximately 154 000 refugees in the Dollo Ado area near the Somali border, some 2 000 people are arriving every day and the refugee camps are full to overflowing. Many refugees are in very poor health and need urgent humanitarian assistance. Children are at particular risk and there