Norwegian defense minister said Monday evening that Norway is monitoring Russian activities in the north very closely, but does not consider Russia a threat to Norwegian security, according to reports reaching here from Oslo on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Oslo Military Society Monday evening, Defense Minister Anne-Grete Stroem Erichsent highlighted the increased activity by Russian military aircraft off the Norwegian coast.
Last year, a total of 88 Russian aircraft were observed outside Norwegian waters, against only 14 the year before, the Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported.
But the defense minister refused to characterize Russia as a threat to Norwegian security, but said it is important for Norway to show its own presence in the region, both through military training and exercises, and together with NATO allies
"Our common border and the many points of contact in the north would indicate that a strengthened international role for Russia would also be reflected in our local regions," NRK quoted the minister as saying.
"We must in the years ahead be prepared to have to use considerable resources on looking after our own interests in the north."
Source:Xinhua
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