Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work today welcomed Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist to the Pentagon, where they discussed emerging security challenges and signed a statement of intent that cements the close relationship between the United States and Sweden and sets out a path for greater defense cooperation in the future, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said.
In a statement, Cook said Carter emphasized the importance of this relationship, noting that today's statement of intent strengthens the bilateral relationship that adds to stability and unity in the Nordic region and sends a strong signal of deterrence to those who might seek to intimidate partners and allies in Europe.
Enhancing Defense Cooperation
Following the meeting with Carter, the press secretary said, Hultqvist met separately with Work and discussed enhancing defense cooperation, including increasing deterrence of provocative Russian behavior and accelerating the campaign to counter-the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. They also discussed the Third Offset Strategy and highlighted NATO partnership initiatives, Cook said.
“Work emphasized today's meeting was an important opportunity for bilateral cooperation in areas of shared concern,” Cook said, “as well as to exchange views on security challenges on Europe's northern, eastern and southern flanks.”