Canada and Nordic states deepen defence co-operation

Canada and the five Nordic countries announced on Sunday that they had agreed to deepen co-operation in military industrial production and other areas, marking the latest step by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in building new global alliances.

Carney is seeking closer ties with China and with countries in the Middle East, as well as with India and Europe, while attempting to reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States.

The prime ministers of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Canada, who met in Oslo, said they aim to strengthen joint defence, security and resilience through closer co-operation in the procurement of weapons and defence systems.

‘We all agree that if we spend this money individually or in an uncoordinated manner, it will not be cost-effective for taxpayers. Nor will it protect our people as it should,’ Carney told reporters.

‘We will continue to make many purchases with the United States, but in all cases we will strive to purchase much more through the partnership,’ Carney said.

The prime ministers also pledged to continue providing Ukraine with economic, civilian, military and humanitarian aid.

(Reuters, sak)