U.S.-Nordic leaders vow to boost security, tech, environment co-op

Leaders of the United States and Nordic countries on Thursday reconfirmed the strong U.S.-Nordic partnership and the intensifying cooperation among their countries, focusing on security, the environment, technology and society, said the President Office in a press release.

Hosted by President Sauli Niinistö, US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen and Prime Minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir met in Helsinki for the third U.S.-Nordic Leaders' Summit where they also reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

They remained unwavering in their support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

The leaders pledged to continue their support for Ukraine for as long as it takes, including through sustained security, economic, legal, and humanitarian assistance.

The United States and Nordic leaders welcomed the statement by Sweden, Turkey and NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg issued on July 10 and look forward to Sweden joining NATO as soon as possible.

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

The Nordic countries also noted their appreciation for 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.

On the environment, the leaders noted the importance of protecting and preserving the Arctic and promoting its sustainable economic development, working in consultation with the indigenous peoples of the Arctic.

The summit also discussed ways to intensify cooperation on clean technologies, resource and energy efficiency, energy security, critical mineral resources, and resilient supply chains.

They noted that cooperation on these issues is critical to achieving shared goals of tackling the climate crisis, accelerating the clean energy transition, and upholding high environmental, social, labor, and governance standards.

The United States and the Nordic countries committed to step up cooperation on technologies such as 5G and 6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies.

On society, the 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.