OREANDA-NEWS Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist received on June 22 in Stockholm his Norwegian colleague, Minister of Defence Ine Eriksen S?reide. The visit is a continuation to the strengthened bilateral ties in the light of new security policy challenges both countries are facing.

At the previous meeting in Oslo late November last year the two ministers agreed on a list of measures to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. Amongst other measures, the two countries are to exchange experiences regarding the development of modern total defence as well as re-institute defence attach?s in both capitals in order to strengthen the exchange of information.

During the June 22 meeting the ministers also discussed regional security issues as well as Nordic defence cooperation within the NORDEFCO framework. Norway will hold the chairmanship of NORDEFCO in 2018.

- The aim of this meeting is to further develop the defence cooperation between our countries. It creates stability and raises the threshold for conflict in our part of the world, concludes Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist.