--NORDEFCO--
A Enhanced Nordic Co-Operation is taking form
Background:
November 2008 the Nordic defence ministers agreed upon and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for enhanced Nordic cooperation in the defence field, the NORDSUP MoU. NORDSUP was intended to complement the already existing forums for Nordic defence cooperation NORDAC and NORDCAPS.
During 2009 it was decided
to create a whole new structure, based upon a new MoU in order to establish a comprehensive framework for all Nordic defence cooperation activities within the areas of policy, capabilities and operations.
Outcome:
The new MoU has been negotiated thru out 2009 and it is signed by the Nordic defence ministers on the 4 of November 2009. The MoU comes into effect the 4 of December the individual MoU:s for NORDSUP, NORDAC and NORDCAPS will be terminated and all work will be transferred to the new structure called NORDEFCO. (NORdic DEfence Co-Operation)
NORDEFCO has an annually rotating chairmanship. At the political level the Ministers of Defence normally meet twice a year. The State Secretaries/Permanent Secretaries normally meet once every year. At the highest military level/ equivalent level, the Chiefs of Defence meet on a regular basis, normally twice a year, to discuss NORDEFCO. At the ministerial level NORDEFCO will be steered by the Nordic Defence Policy Steering Committee. At the military level the Nordic Military Coordination Committee will manage the Armed Forces’ cooperation.
The work performed in NORDAC the working groups will continue as before. In the new structure the working groups will be steered by and report to the military coordination committee.
The responsibility for the defence industrial cooperation agreement and the Nordic Defence Industry Seminar (NDIS) will be taken over by NORDEFCO steering committee.
