IRIA News

Obama praises Nordic friendship, pledges collaboration on terrorism, climate change, defense, trade

WASHINGTON (US) – Leaders of the U.S. and Nordic nations have pledged collaboration on key global issues related to security and defense; migration and refugees; climate change, clean energy and the Arctic and economic growth.

Building on the U.S.-Nordic meeting in 2013 in Stockholm, the leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in Washington Summit 2016.

President Barack Obama welcomed leaders from five Nordic nations, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark, to the White House to discuss issues ranging from Russian aggression to the European migrant crisis to fighting ISIS.

“The United States and the Nordic countries are committed to partnering together to strengthen international security and address global issues beyond Europe” the joint agreement stated.

Russia, Terrorism, Trade and Climate – key areas of discussion

The discussions at the Nordic USA Summit 2016 covered varied global issues — including combating terrorism, fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or Da’esh), facilitating international trade, protecting the environment, Russian aggression and managing refugee flows.

The Finnish president applauded the cooperation between the two nations, stating that their ideologies are very similar — particularly when it comes to climate change.

US and Nordic leaders recognize Russia’s role to counter ISIS but concerned by its growing military presence

At the meeting, leaders of United States and Nordic countries highlighted their concern about “Russia’s growing military presence in the Baltic Sea region, its nuclear posturing, its undeclared exercises, and the provocative actions taken by Russian aircraft and naval vessels.”

The leaders called upon Russia to ensure that its military maneuvers and exercises are in full compliance with its international obligations. At the same time, Nordic and American officials recognized the need for an appropriate dialogue to address issues such as to counter-ISIS campaign and to negotiate an end to the conflict in Syria.

“We will be maintaining ongoing dialogue and seek cooperation with Russia, but we also want to make sure that we are prepared and strong, and we want to encourage Russia to keep its military activities in full compliance with international obligations,” Obama said after the summit.

(left to right) Iceland PM Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson, Danish PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Norwegian PM Erna Solberg, Swedish PM Stefan Lofven, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, and President Barack Obama at a ceremony in the Grand Foyer of the White House on Friday.

Obama lauds Nordic nations’ policies on humanitarian issues and migrant crisis

US President Obama celebrated the arrival of Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Icelandic Prime Minister Sigurour Ingi Johannsson, in the White House Grand Foyer, drawing comparisons between the United States and the Nordic countries.

Obama praised the region’s “enormously generous” efforts to alleviate the migrant crisis plaguing Europe, even as it has severely tested the limits of traditional refugee havens Denmark and Sweden.

US President also lauded the Nordic nations for their global influence on civil rights, humanitarian issues and curbing climate change. Obama has long expressed admiration for the pragmatic and liberal-leaning politics of the Nordic nations.

“Around the world Americas closest partners are democracies. We only need to look at our Nordic friends to see why,” Obama said. “We share the same interests and we share the same values.”

Nordic countries and USA pledge more support to fight terrorism

Terrorism and violent extremism are major challenges for the international community, leaders agreed at the summit 2016, asserting that United States and the Nordic countries intend to work together to counter ISIS and enhance civilian support, and humanitarian aid in the region.

According to the U.S.-Nordic Leaders’ Summit Joint Statement, this is how the Nordic nations will help fight extremism and stabilize the conflict region:

Denmark will redeploy F16 fighter jets, a C130J transport aircraft, and will support stabilization efforts in Iraq and Syria with at least $40 million over the next three years, and has pledged $47 million in 2016 for humanitarian relief in Syria.

Finland will increase its contribution to Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq by providing up to 100 training staff in 2016.  Finland is committing $29 million for humanitarian relief in Syria in 2016. Finnish humanitarian assistance has amounted to more than $120 million since the beginning of the crisis.

Norwegian special forces soldiers to train local Syrian groups to fight ISIS

Norway has stepped up its military contribution to the coalition against ISIS, and will continue to train Iraqi soldiers by deploying a contingent of 60 soldiers who will provide training, advice and operational support to Syrian local forces to fight Da’esh. Norway has recently pledged $1.2 billion over 4 years in humanitarian aid to Syria and has pledged $24 million to stabilization efforts, including $3.1 million in 2016 for demining in Iraq.

Sweden is contributing military trainers in Iraq. Sweden has provided over $400 million in humanitarian aid to Iraq and Syria since 2011, and has committed $200 million in development assistance to address the Syrian crisis over 5 years.

The US is leading the global coalition to counter ISIS and is the largest contributor of stabilization and humanitarian assistance to Iraq and Syria, most recently announcing an additional $155 million in humanitarian relief for Iraq and contributing over $600 million for Syria, as announced at the recent London Conference.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry poses for a Photo With Nordic Foreign Ministers prior to their meeting on the margins of the U.S.-Nordic Leaders’ Summit in Washington

Nordic nations and NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is planning its biggest build-up in eastern Europe since the Cold War to try to deter further Russian aggression, and Denmark and Norway said they would contribute to the “enhanced allied forward presence” with NATO.

Three of the five nations are NATO members, including Denmark and Norway, which each have contributed nearly as many troops on the ground in Iraq as Germany. Sweden and Finland are neutral but are participating in the U.S.-led campaign against ISIS and are helping ensure that sanctions on nearby Russia stay in place.