Per Erik Solli
Per Erik Solli is Senior Defence Analyst in NUPIs Research group on security and defence. Solli also has a position as Senior Adviser at Nord Univ...
WEBINAR: Renewed Threats from the High North to the Black Sea. Main FLANKS Conclusions and Findings
On Thursday, May 5th 2022, New Strategy Center, in partnership with the Norwegian Institute for International Affairs (NUPI), will organize the online conference ”Renewed Threats from the High North to the Black Sea. Main FLANKS Conclusions and Findings”.
Breakfast seminar: The Humanitarian crisis in Ukraine – What can be done?
The war in Ukraine has led to an acute humanitarian crisis in Europe. How has Europe responded to this situation, and what can be done for these people?
Europe, Norway, and the Ukraine crisis
We will take a closer look at how the war in Ukraine affects security, trade, economy, and migration in Europe and in Norway.
POSTPONED! Webinar: New political dividing lines and implications for European integration
The last decade there has been a political divide in Western societies. Which consequences does this have on national policies and future European cooperation?
CANCELLED: 30 years of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Kingdom of Norway
The Croatian and Norwegian Foreign Ministers will meet at NUPI to take a closer look at the importance of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Security debates and partnership choices in the Nordic states: From differentiation to alignment
Summary: What security challenges do the Nordic states highlight in a fluctuating security environment? Towards which partner institutions, networks and states do they orient themselves, and what role do they envision for further Nordic security and defence cooperation? Focusing on Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, this report maps and analyses present-day debates on security and defence in these four states. Examining both official positions and perspectives presented in the wider political and media debates in all four states, a key finding is that their perceptions of the security environment and of key partnerships have become more aligned over the past decade. Further, all four states are woven into a complex web of European and transatlantic initiatives, partnerships and institutions in security and defence. While Finland and Sweden remain outside of NATO and Norway and Iceland outside of the EU, the Nordic states’ participation and degree of integration in European and transatlantic structures is more similar than it used to be. We also observe that the four states appear more aligned than before in their views on how Nordic security and defence cooperation should develop in the future, and for what purpose. While it is still premature to talk about a ‘common Nordic order’ in the security and defence domain, in all four states we find that there is interest in and commitment to further strengthening Nordic security and defence cooperation.
Navigating High-Profile and Low Availability: Norway and the Emerging US Maritime-Strategic Approach
Norwegian Gas in Europe in the 2020’s
This article examines the factors that will influence the position of the Norwegian gas on the market in the 2020’s. Starting with an examination of the historical role of Norway as a gas supplier to the EU, this article maps the role of various factors in shaping framework conditions on the European gas market that can influence the position of the Norwegian gas as an energy source. The main conclusion is that Norway will remain an important supplier of gas until 2030 but may face some serious problems to remain relevant after this date due to possible depletion of gas deposits and increased EU focus on the negative impact of fossil fuels on climate change, the development of a more sustainable energy mix in Europe as well as the emergence of new gas suppliers to Europe, first and foremost LNG that could take higher share of the shrinking gas market in Europe. Development of the cost-effective large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology could alleviate some energy transition related pains and make gas more acceptable as a source of energy, also if the development of hydrogen economy were to materialise. The Norwegian gas could be turned into an important input in green hydrogen, a new promising energy source combining the best of the two energy worlds—the fossil one and the green one.
The European Maritime Security and Defence Policy Architecture: Implications for Norway
Maritime security is high on the international and European security agenda, hence a number of new initiatives and actions have developed within the EU, NATO and through bilateral/minilateral agreements. To increase the common capabilities of Europe and secure more targeted responses, there is a need for better coordination between different organizations and forums. NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept and the EU’s parallel Strategic Compass offer an opportunity to do this. Bilateral and minilateral defence groupings can strengthen European maritime security by accelerating capability development and fostering improved levels of interoperability. Norway should further develop its political dialogue and practical cooperation with the EU, and secure participation in major defence initiatives like the EDF and PESCO, various programmes, and cooperative arrangements with the European Defence Agency (EDA). Norway should pursue further leadership roles within NATO to bolster both its national interests and transatlantic security within the maritime security domain. Norway should actively promote enhanced EUNATO cooperation on maritime security issues, including closer alignment of strategic thinking, policies and investments of the two organisations. Mini-lateral’ structures can allow Norway to join forces with like-minded nations to act rapidly on maritime issues of common importance.