“Reopen Strait of Hormuz”, NATO Scrambles to Reopen Strait as Global Oil Risk Surges | AC1G

Minister Sandberg, Minister Eide, dear Tore, dear Aspås. Thank you for hosting me here in the High North today. It is indeed an honor 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 specialized 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 in Norway and Finland from 14 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 Century, 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 Center 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 Operations Centers 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, the Barents, and in the North Atlantic. NATO will defend every inch of Allied territory regardless of the direction from which challenges come. Our armed forces are ready to operate in extreme conditions, and Cold Response 26 is taking that readiness even further. So thank you as our host for your leadership during this exercise. Working together, we will continue to guarantee safety and security for our billion citizens. And now over to Norway's Foreign Minister for a minute, please.

Yes, I think it is. Norway is absolutely investing in its military capabilities. You have a clear path to do more over the coming years. When it comes to Ukraine, you are really one of the leaders in NATO. The support for Ukraine, when it comes to defense spending, when it comes to defending the Eastern flank, defending the Arctic, and all these issues, Norway is clearly taking a leadership role. You're not the biggest nation, but you can say that you are punching heavily above your weight, and that's exactly what we need.