Norway seeks deeper security ties with Europe, saying US relations uncertain

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OSLO (Reuters) – Norway said on Thursday it would seek to deepen security ties with Nordic neighbours and major European allies, bolstering protections against a resurgent Russia and signalling a shift for a nation long one of NATO’s most Atlanticist members.

In its first ever national security strategy, the government said that while the NATO military alliance remains key, the changes made in U.S. policy on trade and security had made transatlantic ties less predictable.

“Relations between the U.S. and Europe have changed … Unconventional and confrontational policies, including major changes in trade policy, have generated considerable uncertainty in transatlantic relations,” the document said.

“Continued extensive U.S. military presence in Europe is not a given.”

Norway, a founding NATO member, has traditionally been among the most Atlanticist nations in the alliance.

While the new strategy shows Norway remains committed to its relationship with the U.S., it also marks a shift in priorities, with Oslo saying it will spend more time than before on deepening its relationships with other European countries.

Outside the immediate Nordic region, Norway will seek to work more closely with Britain, France, Germany and Poland as well as the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the government said.

Norway is not an EU member and is thus outside the EU-led forums on foreign and security policy.

“Through our cooperation, we will seek to ensure that the EU complements NATO,” said the document.

The presentation of a broad national security strategy coincided with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe, during which Norway was occupied by Nazi Germany.

(Reporting by Terje Solsvik and Gwladys Fouché; Editing by Aidan Lewis)