Deputy Secretary Work welcomed his counterpart, Norway’s State Secretary for Defence, Øystein Bø, back to the Pentagon today, where they met to discuss a range of topics.
Work thanked State Secretary Bø for Norway’s continued commitment to the training of the Iraqi security forces as part of the Counter-ISIL coalition. The two leaders discussed how each country will support NATO allies and partners in a changing European and global defense environment.
The leaders also discussed Russia, Ukraine, and the security cooperation relationship between the United States and Norway. Work thanked State Secretary Bø for the U.S. partnership with Norway on P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, while State Secretary Bø noted Norway’s purchase of the F-35 could bring continued air forces cooperation in the coming years. Both leaders agreed to find ways to maintain and expand on the history of joint and complimentary security capabilities in the future.
State Secretary Bø also thanked Deputy Secretary Work for hosting the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen during last year’s RIMPAC exercise. The two leaders discussed how future cooperation in multinational exercises around the world will continue to build on the interoperability and mutual understanding that has marked the healthy relationship between the United States and Norway for decades.