Nordic Cooperation in the North: Norwegian-Finnish-Swedish Summit to Be Held in Bodø
Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labour) hosted Finland's new president, Alexander Stubb (Coalition Party), for the first time in Alta, Northern Norway, in March during the Nordic Response military exercise, which took place across the Cap of the North. In a week, Støre awaits a visit from Stubb and Sweden's PM Ulf Kristersson (M) in Bodø, Northern Norway. The three country's MoDs will also participate in the meeting. (Photo: Kristian Kapelrud/the Norwegian Armed Forces)
Next week, Norway's PM Jonas Gahr Støre will welcome Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Sweden's PM Ulf Kristersson to Bodø, Northern Norway. The three will discuss the opportunities for deeper civilian and military collaboration on the Cap of the North.
From June 19th to June 20th, the stage is set for a Norwegian-Finnish-Swedish summit in Bodø, Northern Norway.
Norway's PM Jonas Gahr Støre will welcome Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Sweden's PM Ulf Kristersson on the coast guard vessel KV Svalbard in the Port of Bodø in Northern Norway.
At the top of the agenda are discussions on strengthened cooperation between the three allies on the Cap of the North, both in the civilian and military sectors.
The next day, Støre, Stubb, and Kristersson will visit the Norwegian Joint Headquarters (NJHQ) at Reitan outside of Bodø.
The three countries' MoDs – Bjørn Arild Gram, Antti Häkkänen, and Pål Jonson – will also attend the meeting and the visit to NJHQ.
New meeting tradition
An overarching aim for the meeting in Bodø is for Støre, Stubb, and Kristersson to talk ahead of the NATO summit in Washington DC in July.
As indicated, the main focus will be on the possibilities for increased interaction between the three countries in light of Finland and Sweden's entry into the alliance. The security situation in the region and the link between the Baltic Sea and the Arctic region will also be discussed.
Støre invited Stubb and Kristersson to such a deepened dialogue during a visit to the Nordic Response military exercise on March 7th. On this day, Sweden was formally admitted as a member of the alliance.
The tradition for an annual meeting between the PMs in Norway and Sweden and the President of Finland was initiated last year in Harpsund, Sweden.
Stubb has already announced that he will invite Støre and Kristersson to his summer residence in Gullrana before the NATO summit in 2025.
