German-Norwegian Relations in the Second Half of 2010s: Political and Military Aspects

Abstract

The article characterizes the relations between the NATO member states which are also Arctic states in military-political sphere. In this situation Norway is a valuable partner not only for the USA but also for European NATO member states and especially Germany considering its ambitions as full-fare global power. The goal of article is to explore trajectory and dynamics of German-Norwegian relations in political-military sphere in the second half of 2010s. The paper issues the functioning of negotiation link A. Merkel — E. Solberg and also German steps which led to its launch. The author shows the importance of Norway for Germany as an Arctic and in this regard explores Germany’s Arctic strategy. Germany tried to neutralize the negative effect of Norway’s lack of EU membership and also the unwillingness of Norway to join PESCO platform. There was the spill-over effect when the experience of full-fare cooperation in political sphere was also moved to the military sphere at the end of 2010s. The paper explores the features of the competition between the USA and Germany for influence over Norway in the context of the US and German Arctic ambitions. The author concludes about the possibilities and difficulties of the further rise of German-Norwegian relations for the perspective by the early 2020s.