Nordic Defence And Security Cooperation – A New Arena for Regional Integration? Presentation at the Kick off seminar for Nordic Forum for Security Policy 2014 by Jacob Westberg

STETE Nordic Defence and Security cooperation Changes in the European and global security environment following the end of the Cold War The end of bipolarity and the ”normalisation” of defence policy in Europe Existential territorial threats less likely, less immediate Cuts in defence budgets New opportunities for Nordic defence Cooperation De-territorialised and widened view of security Increased emphasis on non-state and transnational security threats related to failed states and regional conflicts outside Europe More emphasis on human and societal security and non- antagonistic threats Multilateral defence and security cooperation (Cooperative security) Cooperative security within UN, Nato and EU Opportunities to share risks, cost and responsibility Demands new military capabilities

STETE Nordic Defence and Security cooperation Increased pressures for multilateral defence integration Increased relevance of Nordic defence cooperation The EU:s political & economic crisis Asymmetric trends in defence spending The ‘critical mass problem’ US re- balancing & increased demands for burden sharing

STETE Nordic Defence and Security cooperation Nordic defence and security cooperation: Some comparative advantages and lessons from the European integration process Comparative advantages: A small group of like minded countries... Geographic proximity Similarity in strategic culture after all... Positive experience of cooperation in other policy areas Lessons from the European integration process: Focus on pragmatic interests & benefits, not big ideals! Functional & political spill over works! Keep the cooperation small and flexible! Avoid unnecessary 2-level games conflicts and sovereignty traps! Don’t be afraid of dependencies – they may be the key to trust!