MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY
AND
THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN
AND NORTHERN IRELAND
ON THE ENHANCEMENT OF BILATERAL DEFENCE CO-OPERATION
The Ministry of Defence
of the Kingdom
of Norway
(hereafter “Norway”)
Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
(hereafter “the UK”), hereinafter referred to as “the Participants”;
Northern
and the
Ireland
Recalling the Bilateral and Global Partnership signed by the Prime Ministers of
Norway and of the UK on 19 January 2011, which affirmed the broad, strong and
long-standing bilateral relationship between Norway and the UK and committed both
countries to further developing their defence and security co-operation;
Recognising the shared interests, values and responsibilities of Norway and the UK,
some of which arise from the geographical proximity of both nations in Northern
Europe, and the potential advantages for co-operation that this confers;
Mindful of their rights and obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty;
Believing that greater bilateral defence and security co-operation will reinforce those
rights and obligations;
Determined to address strategic challenges and promote
security in the context of their UN obligations;
international peace
and
Understanding the need to strengthen European military capabilities in the context of
NATO's Lisbon Critical Capabilities Commitment;
Convinced that European allies and partners need to improve the effectiveness and
efficiency of their defence and security efforts by developing new approaches to
bilateral and multinational defence and security co-operation, including through the
co-ordination, on a voluntary basis, of defence and security policy and plans;
Recognising the need to develop closer co-operation in capability development in
order to achieve more cost-efficient, more available and more useable capabilities for
Norway and the UK and for the Alliance.
Desiring to reach
a higher level of military co-operation
in order to enhance
the
operational capabilities of both nations and ensure a higher degree of interoperability;
Resolved to build on and strengthen the existing strong links between
forces of Norway and the UK;
Noting the renewed
Memorandum
Minister of Defence
of the Kingdom
for Defence
of Understanding
between the Secretary of State
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
of Norway
Ireland and the
in Respect of Defence
operation, which came into effect on 11 January 2010;
the armed
Material Co-
Acknowledging the financial and resource constraints faced by both nations;