US, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Sweden hold third US-Nordic Leaders’ Summit

Europe, News, US July 14, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. President Joe Biden met with the leaders of Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden for the third U.S.-Nordic Leaders’ Summit. The leaders agreed to strengthen the U.S.-Nordic partnership and intensify cooperation on security, technology, and the environment.

The meeting was hosted by President of Finland Sauli Niinistö in Helsinki, on July 13, 2023, and attended by U.S. President Joe Biden and Nordic leaders including Prime Minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

According to the White House statement, “the Nordic countries and the United States reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine” and vowed to “continue their support for Ukraine for as long as it takes, including through sustained security, economic, legal, and humanitarian assistance.”

It was a delight to be back in Finland – an incredible Ally to the United States, and an asset to NATO and the world. pic.twitter.com/UUXcjqRYhE
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 13, 2023

During the meeting, the Nordic nations appreciated the continued U.S. commitment to transatlantic, European, and Northern European security, and “they stand ready to deepen their security and defense cooperation with the United States, including through the Nordic Defense Cooperation framework.”

The leaders also noted that the NATO membership of Finland and Sweden will strengthen the ability of the Nordic region to contribute even further to the security of all NATO Allies.

The U.S.-Nordic Leaders’ Summit was held a day after the NATO Allies concluded a historic summit in Vilnius, where they welcomed Finland’s accession to NATO and reached an agreement to move forward on Sweden’s membership in the Alliance.

^{The flags of Sweden, Denmark, the United States, Finland, Iceland, and Norway during the U.S.-Nordic Leaders’ Summit in Helsinki on July 13, 2023. (Image Credit: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland)}

The U.S. and Nordic leaders discussed ways to intensify cooperation on clean technologies, resource and energy efficiency, energy security, critical mineral resources, and resilient supply chains. They underscored that climate change and biodiversity loss are among the most critical challenges facing our planet and agreed to protect and preserve the Arctic and promote its sustainable economic development.

The White House statement highlighted that the United States and the Nordic countries “recognized the crucial significance of critical and emerging technologies” and committed to enhancing cooperation “on technologies such as 5G and 6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies.”

The leaders also noted that cooperation on fundamental and applied research “enables the United States and Nordic partners to stay at the technological forefront and to develop technologies and standards that align with common values and interests.”

*^{U.S. President Joe Biden speaks as he holds a press conference with Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto in Helsinki, Finland, on July 13, 2023. (Image Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)}*

The U.S. and Nordic leaders reaffirmed the “fundamental and shared values of democracy, respect for human rights, gender equality, the protection and equal treatment of all people, rule of law, and economic freedom” as the basis of U.S.-Nordic cooperation and stressed the importance of “people-to-people connections” the participating countries.