I have sent a very clear message to the Defense Chief in Denmark. Buy, buy, buy, says Mette Frederiksen in connection with the Nordic labor movement's cooperation committee's (Samak) annual meeting in Oslo.
Frederiksen emphasizes that those who believe that European countries have not invested enough in their defense have a point.
Europe has had an advantage for a long time after the fall of the wall. Many of us have reduced our defense budgets. Therefore, it is a reasonable demand when others say that we should "step up", she says.
"Adapt quickly"
Denmark's Prime Minister says further that the Nordic countries need to strengthen their cooperation on defense. She mentions that "one of the strengths of the Nordic region is that we can adapt quickly, both our economy and our production".
That's why I'm very much in favor of closer Nordic defense cooperation and a concrete stronger defense production cooperation in the Nordic region, where we also get our industries to work closer together. Otherwise, I'm afraid that time will run out for Europe and that risk I'm not willing to take, says Frederiksen.
Influential voice
Frederiksen has been one of the most influential voices in support of Ukraine since Russia's invasion three years ago.
At the annual meeting in Oslo, which focuses on security and safety in the Nordic region, Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and the Social Democratic Party leader in Sweden, Magdalena Andersson, are also participating.
Corrected: In an earlier version of the text, there was an incorrect description in the first paragraph.
