NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Norway
News story | Date: 22/05/2025 | Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had a chance to see key aspects of Norway’s contribution to NATO first-hand when he visited Evenes Military Air Station and Ramsund Naval Station in North Norway on Thursday.
During his visit, Mr Rutte learned more about how Norwegian and Allied forces work together on a daily basis as well as how Norway’s P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft are being used to safeguard security in the High North.
Strategic importance
‘The world’s largest nuclear arsenal is located in the north, close to the Norwegian border. Norway has the world’s second-longest coastline and has in-depth knowledge of the strategically important northern sea areas. Norway is NATO’s eyes and ears in the north. I am pleased we were able to provide the Secretary General with a better understanding of Norway’s role during his visit,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Mr Støre was pleased that Secretary General Rutte came to Norway to gain insight into how the Norwegian Armed Forces work in the north as well as how the Alliance works as an integrated whole in the region.
‘We must stand together to deal with the security challenges of today. That is why we are cooperating with our friends and Allies to strengthen our collective security,’ said Prime Minister Støre.
Vital for NATO
Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide and Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik also took part in the visit to Ramsund and Evenes.
‘Ramsund Naval Station and Evenes Military Air Station are of vital importance to NATO due both to their strategic location in the north and to their role as NATO operational hubs. They are also important bases for receiving Allied reinforcements and for exercises and training,’ said Defence Minister Sandvik.
Support for Ukraine
The Secretary General, the Prime Minister and the ministers received briefings by senior Armed Forces personnel and participated in a number of meetings during the visit to Nordland and Troms counties. Among the topics discussed were the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague in June, the need for increased contributions to NATO and support for Ukraine.
‘There is broad agreement that Europe must shoulder more responsibility for its own security, and that is what is happening now. All the NATO countries are increasing their defence budgets. We are also unified in our support for Ukraine. This is a good basis for the crucial discussions in the lead-up to the NATO Summit in The Hague,’ said Foreign Minister Eide.
Earlier this month, Norway announced that it is increasing its support to Ukraine for 2025 by NOK 50 billion, to NOK 85 billion. Forecasts indicate that Norwegian defence expenditure for 2025 will be 3.3 % of GDP.
‘Secretary General Rutte and I fully agree that Europe must commit to spending more on defence and assume greater responsibility for its own security. Norway is spending more on defence than we have done for a very long time,’ said Mr Støre.