Introduction From idea to a contemporary cooperation Mode of operation Concept for cooperation Danish chairmanship 2012 Future prospects? Q & A Nordic Defence Cooperation NORDEFCO (International Seminar, Lisbon, Portugal 29 th March 2012)
From idea to a contemporary cooperation Ambitions about Nordic defence union after WW II. But no agreement Denmark, Iceland and Norway joins NATO in 1949. Since 1964 Nordic countries have cooperated about Peace Support Training to the UN in NORDSAMFN until 1997. Denmark joins EU in 1973: Not participating in defence coop Sweden and Finland joins EU in 1995 From 1997 2010 in NORDCAPS (Nordic Coordinated Arrangement for Military Peace Support)
From idea to a contemporary cooperation (2) NORDAC (Nordic Armament Cooperation). NORDSUP (Nordic Supportive Defence Structures). In 2010 a new comprehensive structure was established NORDEFCO (Nordic Defence Cooperation) encapsulating all cooperation areas.
From idea to a contemporary cooperation (3) Take aways: A cooperation, not an alliance Potential for cooperation despite substantially diverse foreign political and security circumstances Capacity to adjust and adapt to new challenges
Minimum 2 year chairmanship Annual rotation of chairmanship Mode of operation Armament Directors, service chiefs etc.
Mode of operation Take aways: Cooperation in many ways duplicate national set ups in defence Distribution of labour secures continuity and energy
Concept for cooperation Flexibility, transparency and inclusiveness. Voluntary and interest not compulsory. Some cooperation areas includes all countries, others are bi- or trilateral. Chairmanship rotates every year. Possible cooperation can take place in all aspects in the defence sphere but must provide added value.
Concept for cooperation Take aways: No heavy bureacracy: virtual secretariat Added value Variable geographical geometry
Examples of Nordic cooperation Tactical Air Transport (C-130) Veterans Africa Concept development Courses Joint exercises Maritime cooperation Afghanistan Logistics Studies
Enhance the political dialogue between the Nordic countries. Africa enhance existing Nordic cooperation on capacity building in Eastern Africa. Nordic Industry Seminar NDIS Arctic Danish chairmanship 2012 - priorities Multilateral cooperation.
Danish chairmanship - Africa Nordic cooperation in Eastern Africa since 2009. Supporting capacity building of East African Standby Forces (EASF) Nordic Advisory and Coordination Staff (NACS) Supporting four thematic areas Ambition to extending the existing Nordic cooperation.
Takes place in Bella Center 2 3 May 2012. Denmark has developed the existing industry seminar concept in two major areas. Green Tech Danish chairmanship Nordic Industry Seminar Extended the group of participating countries to include beside the Nordic countries, the Baltic countries, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and UK.
Danish chairmanship Multilateral cooperation Global trend that defence budgets are under pressure. Need for enhanced cooperation. Looking at existing and new partnerships. For instance such as the Northern Group. Northern Group of defence ministers assembled in Örebro, Sweden in November 2011. Currently looking at different areas such as tactical air transport (C-130).
Danish chairmanship Arctic Climate changes seems to have made the waters of the high north more accessible. Higher density of vessels constitute an increased risk of polluting the vulnerable waters. Search and Rescue. Common solution to common challenges.
Future prospects? Key factors: Added value and relevance
If you have questions or would like to know more You are welcome to contact International Office, Head of Department, Allan Rahbøl Jacobsen, arj@fmn.dk or +45 3392 2480 Major Jørn E. Rasmussen, jra@fmn.dk, +45 3392 2489 You can also find additional information about the Nordic defence cooperation on the website of the ministry or NORDEFCO: www.fmn.dk www.nordefco.org
Questions