Joint press conference

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Minister Sandvik, Minister Eide, dear Tore, dear Espen, thank you for hosting me here in the High North today. It is indeed an honour and a pleasure to witness some of the incredible efforts undertaken as part of Cold Response 26.

Norway is a key player when it comes to the security of our northern flank. You have developed specialised military capabilities tailored not just to cold weather operations, but to Arctic and also to sub-Arctic conditions.

You provide NATO with a wide range of capabilities for Arctic operations, and you conduct vital supporting activities and exercises.

And over the last several days, indeed, Cold Response has once again demonstrated Norway's central role, with over 30,000 personnel here and in Finland from 14 Allied countries training as part of this exercise.

We have seen many examples today of our military readiness. How exercising and learning from one another builds bonds between allies and ensures the ability of NATO nations to operate effectively and to do this together.

Cold Response is also one of the first major activities brought together under Arctic Sentry, NATO's new enhanced Vigilance Activity in the Arctic and in the High North.

But it is not only during the exercise that we can learn from Norway's expertise. You host the NATO Centre of Excellence for Cold Weather Operations, consistently sharing your knowledge on how to operate in extreme conditions.

Norway also hosts one of NATO's Combined Air Operation Centres in Bodø, enhancing our shared security and NATO's ability to plan, to coordinate and to oversee air operations in the Nordic region, the Baltic and Barents Seas, and in the North Atlantic.

NATO will defend every inch of allied territory - regardless of the direction from which challenges may come. Our armed forces are ready to operate in extreme conditions, and Cold Response 26 is taking that readiness even further.

I want to thank you, as our host, for your leadership during this exercise. Working together, we will continue to guarantee safety and security for our one billion citizens.