The Foreign Secretary, , travels to Estonia and Norway today (10 -11 March), for
talks around the regional security threat posed by Russia and
climate change in the run up to the COP26 climate
conference.
The visit to a cluster of like-minded Nordic and Baltic states,
comes as the government prepares for the publication of the
Integrated Review - its ambitious new vision for British foreign,
defence and development policy.
The most comprehensive review since the Cold War, it will define
the Government’s ambition for the UK’s role in the world and the
long-term strategic aims for national security, development and
foreign policy, including through enhancing partnerships with
nations such as these.
Ahead of the visit, Foreign Secretary said:
“The security threat posed by Russia is felt most keenly by its
neighbours. The UK is committed to standing with our close
friends in the Nordic and Baltic regions, both militarily as well
as in tackling Russia’s disinformation and destabilising regional
activity.
“In the face of challenges such as climate change and protecting
the polar regions, the need for like-minded nations to come
together has never been more important.”
, will visit Tallinn today (10 March) to meet the
Estonian President and attend talks with the group of three
Baltic states - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - to discuss
regional security and building back better from covid-19. While
in Estonia, the Foreign Secretary will sign an agreement with
Estonia to reaffirm our defence partnership and cement the
UK-Estonia relationship.
He will then travel to Oslo on 11 March to hold talks with the
Norwegian Foreign Minister and Development Minister. He will also
attend talks with the group of Foreign Ministers of the five
Nordic nations – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden -
to discuss climate change and international security, including
threats from hostile states.
In Norway, the Foreign Secretary will sign a memorandum of
understanding with Norway to drive forward future science and
research cooperation on the polar regions, an important milestone
ahead of the UK hosting the COP26 climate conference.
2021 is a significant year for the UK in the polar regions. It
marks the 60th anniversary of the entry into force of the
Antarctic Treaty, the 30th anniversary of the signing of its
Protocol on Environmental Protection, and the 30th anniversary of
the UK Arctic Research Station in Svalbard, Norway.
