Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway FMs hold presser after meeting in Berlin

Foreign ministers from the Nordic countries met in Berlin on Monday following a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of the Nordic embassy complex in the German capital. Representatives of the royal houses of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, along with the presidents of Finland and Iceland were also in the German capital for the event. Political and economic bonds have become closer since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. All are now members of NATO, and Norway has supplanted Russia as the main supplier of gas to Germany. At a news conference foreign ministers of the five countries focused not only on the war in Ukraine but activities affecting their countries as well. The Iceland’s Secretary of State in the Foreign Ministry Martin Eyjolfsson said that “Russia has been ramping up its military presence in the Arctic and, of course, we need to be prepared.” “We also need to, invest in equipment for the harsh conditions there. And we need to train our people as well,” Eyjolfsson added. Norwegian Foreign Minster Espen Barth Eide defended the accession of Ukraine to the European Union as it would be a “partner that will help defend us in the future, because that landmass and that people is not going away.” The Nordic diplomats were also asked about the referendum in Moldova on the nation’s commitment to join the bloc. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed relief about the outcome adding that it was, however, “very close”.