Replay - Conference with Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway
Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, Norway has become the European Union’s leading supplier of gas. This position could be further strengthened given the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Beyond the issue of energy, how does the Norwegian government view the current crises, and what means does it have to act within its regional environment (notably in the Arctic) and, more broadly, on the international stage? How does Norway - sharing a border with Russia and having been a member of NATO since its founding – approach the security of the Euro-Atlantic area? These are some of the questions that will be discussed during this conversation with Espen Barth Eide, Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Discussion moderated by Marc Hecker, Ifri's Executive Director.
10 key takeaways:
- The end of Pax Americana: The U.S. is actively stepping back from its role as sole guarantor of international order.
- European strategic autonomy is essential: Europe must invest more in defense and sovereignty while staying globally connected.
- The Arctic is a critical zone: Home to Russia's largest nuclear concentration and vital sea routes and underwater infrastructure.
- Ukraine is existential for Northern Europe: How this war ends will shape regional security for decades.
- Middle East instability has global ripple effects: Energy prices, fertilizer supply, and even helium for chip technology are at stake.
- Norway's EU integration dilemma: Deeply tied to the single market but excluded from new EU defense and trade tools.
- Energy security meets green transition: Norway's hydropower acts as Europe's "battery," balancing intermittent renewables.
- Hybrid threats are real: Russian operations targeting underwater cables and gas pipelines have been uncovered.
- China's Arctic ambitions: As a self-identified "near-Arctic state," China is deepening cooperation with Russia.
- Climate remains the ultimate challenge: Beyond wars, the climate and nature crisis is humanity's greatest test.
> Learn more about this conference here.
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Authors
Marc HECKER
Executive Director of Ifri, Editor-in-Chief of Politique étrangère, and Research Fellow at the Security Studies Center, Ifri
