The defence ministers of Denmark, Norway and Sweden sign a trilateral Statement of Intent on enhanced operational cooperation

A serious security crisis in the Nordic region would affect us all, and we need to be prepared and equipped to act together in peace, crisis and conflict. Coordination of national operational planning will improve our ability to act together if so decided.

All Nordic countries and surrounding areas are strategically connected and of considerable importance to transatlantic security.

These geostrategic realities result in the need for enhanced Nordic defence cooperation. The trilateral Statement of Intent (SOI) that we sign today focuses on geographical areas of common concern, such as southern parts of Scandinavia, including Kattegat, Skagerrak and the North Sea.

The SOI will help improve interoperability among our armed forces and enable common military action if decided. This may include protection of sea lines of communication and air and sea surveillance, which are important for security of supply in our region.

The SOI is also in line with the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) vision for 2025. The guiding aim of the vision is to improve the Nordic countries' defence capability and cooperation in peace, crisis and conflict.

We believe in the strength of Nordic defence cooperation. We must continue to stand together and build peace and stability in our region. This trilateral statement of intent will be an important tool in fulfilling our ambitions of strengthening our common security.