Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre presented Norway’s first national security strategy yesterday. The new strategy sets the direction and priorities for the collective national effort to enhance Norway’s security.
‘The world has become more dangerous and more unpredictable. A broad, overarching national security strategy is needed to respond to this situation. We must pull together to do what it takes to keep Norway secure and safe,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
This strategy has been drawn up against the backdrop of the most serious security situation Norway has faced since the Second World War.
‘This strategy clearly defines the national security interests we must promote and defend. It provides a clearer picture of what Norway’s security interests are, and points to areas we as a society must focus on to make Norway more secure,’ said Mr Støre.
A basis for priorities and political decisions
The strategy sets out six fundamental national security interests:
A free and independent Norway
A robust democracy
An open and adaptable economy
A safe society with a high level of trust
Allied solidarity and unity in Europe
A world that seeks solutions based on international law
The Government presents three main strategic priorities:
We will rapidly strengthen our defence capability
We will enhance the resilience of Norwegian society
We will strengthen our economic security
‘The new strategy provides a basis for the political decisions Norway will have to take and the priorities to be set in the time ahead. The whole of society must be involved in the national effort to protect our fundamental security interests – from the public authorities to private companies, trade unions, the voluntary sector, and everyone who lives in Norway. The strategy is intended to ensure that we all pull in the same direction,’ said Mr Støre.
This strategy is to underpin efforts relating to national security in the various government ministries, and is to be used as a basis for establishing overall priorities, identifying concrete measures and developing policy.
Following up recommendations
The Government has previously presented the white paper on total preparedness and the Long-term Defence Plan. The new strategy follows up these two documents and the white paper on national control and cyber resilience, and establishes an overarching framework for efforts relating to national security.
The need for a national security strategy was identified by the Norwegian Defence Commission, the Total Preparedness Commission and the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM), and all the political parties in the Storting supported this recommendation.