Norway, Germany pledge closer security cooperation in High North

OSLO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul have discussed European security, support for Ukraine and closer bilateral defense cooperation, the Norwegian government said in a statement on Wednesday.

The two ministers met Tuesday in Bodo, northern Norway, where they visited the Norwegian Joint Headquarters, NATO's Combined Air Operations Center in Bodo (CAOC Bodo) and the High North Center at Nord University.

According to the statement, Eide described Germany as Norway's most important partner in Europe and one of its closest allies, saying closer coordination is increasingly important as European countries assume greater responsibility for their own security. The two countries are united in seeking to strengthen Europe's defense capabilities and maintain support for Ukraine, he said.

The High North featured prominently in the talks. Eide said the region is Norway's most important strategic priority and is becoming increasingly important to European security. Norway welcomed Germany's growing engagement in the Arctic and North Atlantic, where the country is becoming an increasingly important partner, he added.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed greater European investment in defense capabilities and the defense industry, as well as submarine cooperation between Norway and Germany, which Canada recently decided to join.

Space cooperation was also discussed. Norway and Germany already cooperate through a partnership between Andoya Spaceport in northern Norway and German launch company Isar Aerospace. Eide said Europe needed secure and independent access to space, adding that the partnership would strengthen Europe's capacity to develop, launch and operate satellites for both civilian and security purposes. Enditem