An amendment agreement was signed by US Ambassador Marc Nathason and Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram on Friday, Ednews informs via The Barents Observer.
“In today’s security environment, we must continue to strengthen the relationship with our allies. It is important for our security and for the entire Nordic region,” Minister Gram said and underlined that “the United States is our closest ally.”
The original agreement signed in 2021 included four facilities and areas where the United States could build infrastructure and train together with Norwegian forces.
With eight new, there will be a total of 12 pre-defined military facilities and areas under the so-called Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement (SDCA). The amendment is now pending the consent of the Norwegian Parliament.
“The security challenges and the operational requirements are greater and more serious now, compared to when the SDCA was negotiated in 2021,” Bjørn Arild Gram said on Friday.