Norway is adjusting its guidelines in Finnmark to enable more training with Sweden and Finland
News story | Date: 22/05/2025 | Ministry of Defence
The Norwegian government has decided to make adjustments to the national guidelines for foreign military activity in Northern Norway. The adjustments facilitate increased training and cooperation with allied countries, including cross-border training with Sweden and Finland. The adjustments apply to activities related to air operations, port calls to Norwegian harbours, as well as land operations.
“The amendment of the guidelines represents a natural development following the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO. It enables strengthened cooperation through increased training and exercises with allied forces in the north, across the borders of Sweden and Finland” says Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.
The guidelines for foreign military activity in Norway have been changed several times over the past decades.
“Norway maintains a consistent policy. We remain a predictable and responsible neighbour, committed to preserving stability and low tension in the High North. Sweden’s and Finland’s accession to NATO have altered the Alliance’s territory. Norway has a long history of allied military activity on its territory. This has been a central part of Norwegian security and defence policy for decades,” says the Minister of Defence.
Allied forces exercise and train regularly in many parts of Norway and in adjacent waters. Allied activity in the more eastern parts of Finnmark County will be considered on a case-by-case basis.