NATO will integrate the Scandinavian countries into the Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, the United States, this week, as part of efforts to strengthen transatlantic security and strengthen the alliance's presence in the northern regions, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexis Grinkevich said today, quoted by Reuters, BTA reported.
With the changes, all Scandinavian countries will be under the command of the headquarters in Norfolk, focused on the defense of the North Atlantic. Until now, some of these countries were under the NATO command in Brunssum, in the Netherlands, which is responsible for the alliance's northeastern flank.
Finland and Sweden became NATO members after the Russian invasion of Ukraine - in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The war led to a reassessment of security strategies in both countries. Their accession has strengthened the alliance's position in Northern Europe and the Baltic region and has actually led to a restructuring of the command, Reuters notes.
"Given the alignment of our adversaries around the world, it is imperative that we strengthen the Euro-Atlantic area as much as possible and strengthen our positions in the northern regions," Grinkiewicz told reporters at NATO headquarters near Mons, Belgium.
"Norfolk is the strategic bridge between North America and Europe," he explained.
After the restructuring, the Norfolk Command will take responsibility for the Arctic, Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.