Norway to join France's nuclear deterrence initiative, says PM Stoere
Norway's Shift Towards French Nuclear Deterrence
(In May 27 story, corrects headline and first paragraph to make clear Norway is to join France's nuclear deterrence initiative and not France's nuclear umbrella; edits paragraphs 7-8 to explain French initiative)
Background and Context
OSLO, May 27 (Reuters) - Norway will open talks with France on boosting cooperation around French nuclear deterrence activities, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told news agency NTB on Wednesday, as concerns grow in Europe over U.S. commitment to the region's security.
The move by Norway is significant as it has long been a so-called Atlanticist nation, one which believed its security was best achieved via close alignment with Washington.
Details of the New Defence Agreement
Stoere travelled to Paris on Wednesday afternoon to meet President Emmanuel Macron and sign a new defence agreement with France, which includes Norway joining a French-led nuclear weapons initiative.
Security Policy Motivations
"We are doing this in light of the security policy situation in Europe, including Russia's massive rearmament, also in the nuclear domain, and that it is waging a full-scale war against another European country," Stoere told Norwegian news agency NTB.
No nuclear weapons will be deployed in Norway in peacetime, he added.
Norway's Strategic Position
The Nordic nation of 5.6 million inhabitants is a member of NATO, but not of the European Union, and shares a border with Russia in the Arctic.
The French Nuclear Deterrence Initiative
In March, France offered more nuclear deterrence cooperation with European allies, seeking to bolster the credibility of France's nuclear arsenal beyond its borders. It proposes joint exercises, the possible short-term deployment of nuclear-capable assets on allied territory and deeper consultation.
Scope and Limitations of the Initiative
The deterrence initiative stops short of offering a formal nuclear umbrella like the United States. Norway becomes the ninth country to sign up to the initiative, including Poland and Germany, according to French officials.
Norway becomes the latest country to receive France's nuclear protection, after Poland and Lithuania, which also share borders with Russia.
Global Nuclear Capabilities
Russia and the U.S. are the world's biggest nuclear powers, with over 5,000 nuclear warheads each. China has about 500, France has 290 and Britain 225, according to the Federation of American Scientists.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Gwladys Fouche and Nerijus Adomaitis in Oslo; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
