It will be nearly another month before Norway’s former prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg, can finally move home again. He was back in Oslo this week, though, on his last official visit as secretary general of NATO.
Stoltenberg was making courtesy calls on his former Labour Party colleague Jonas Gahr Støre, who now holds Stoltenberg’s old post, and at the Royal Palace, for lunch with King Harald and Queen Sonja. He also spoke about various defense issues at the Oslo City Hall, sat for interviews with Norwegian media and had several meetings with Norwegian officials on what Støre called “very important issues.”
For Støre, who served as Stoltenberg’s foreign minister in the earlier Labour-led government and also is a personal friend, it seemed most important to thank Stoltenberg “for 10 years of extraordinary service” during a time of great international drama and turbulence. When Stoltenberg took over the post in 2014, the world was still relatively peaceful but then came the terrorist organization IS, the war in Syria, the return of the Taliban to Afghanistan and, not least, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a new war in the Middle East.
“He was supposed to be there (at NATO headquarters in Brussels) for four years, but it became 10,” said Støre, noting how “that tells something about how the geopolitical circumstances have changed, but also Jens Stoltenberg’s ability to respond to that and the trust that the members have taken in him.”
NATO members encouraged Stoltenberg to stay on, first for another four years and then two more. Stoltenberg was widely acclaimed for his negotiating skills, his personable approach and his talent for dealing with Donald Trump when he became US president half-way into Stoltenberg’s first term. Stoltenberg has always been known as a likeable guy.
“He has expertly maneuvered the alliance through rough waters, all the while making sure NATO has staued relevant and true to the alliance’s core values,” Støre said, adding that Stoltenberg will be leaving a NATO that’s “stronger, more updated and more ready to face challenges and secure its members than when he started.”
Støre highlighted how Stoltenberg encouraged NATO members to boost their own defense and contribute much more to the costs of that, including Norway. He hailed Stoltenberg’s “open-door policy” that has resulted in more new members including Sweden and Finland, who all but rushed to join after Russia attacked Ukraine. All five Nordic countries are now NATO members, creating a much stronger defense alliance on NATO’s northern flank.
Most importantly, Støre claimed, is how Stoltenberg not only maintained but strengthened what he called “the trans-Atlantic bond” with Canada and the US. Støre called that the “essence” of the alliance. Stoltenberg charmed the US Congress when he received an extraordinary invitation to address it, and he has gotten along well not only with US President Joe Biden (who recently surprised him by awarding him the Medal of Freedom, the US’ highest honour) but also Trump.
Stoltenberg, in turn, called his native Norway “a key NATO ally” that plays an important role in the north. He’s glad Norway has boosted defense spending, even beyond the goal that’s equal to 2 percent of GNP and thanked Norway for its long-term commitment to Ukraine. “That makes a big difference on the battlefield,” Stoltenberg said, stressing that Ukraine continues to need weapons and ongoing support to defend itself.
He called security needs “not only regional but global,” and called on China to “stop supporting Russia’s illegal war.” He claimed that “China cannot continue to fuel the largest military conflict in Europe without impacting Beijing’s interests and reputation.”
His message comes just as Støre is about to set off on a somewhat controversial trip to China himself early next week. While Norway’s defense minister has been touring Southeast Asia and bolstering support and defense cooperation this week with countries threatened by China (which have included not only Taiwan but Vietnam, the Philippines and even Australia), Støre aims to drum up more trade with China. That has sent confusing signals, also to Norwegian companies wanting to do business with China but facing security concerns at the same time. Støre now claims he intends to spread the same message as Stoltenberg while in China, that supporting Russia can damage its business interests in Norway and the rest of Europe and harm its reputation.”
Everyone seemed most curious about what Stoltenberg will do after a decade at NATO. Asked by Norwegian news bureau NTB whether Støre wants to use Stoltenberg as a chief adviser of sorts or in the upcoming national election campaign, Støre said he thinks Stoltenberg “deserves to finish out his term at NATO” (which formally ends on October 1, when the Netherlands Mark Rutte will take over) and then enjoy some freedom for the first time in more than 20 years “to set his own agenda.”
He noted, however, that he will continue to seek Stoltenberg’s counsel on major issues, and is glad Stoltenberg can soon once again take part in the national debate in Norway, if he so chooses. He has no doubt that Stoltenberg will be highly sought after, given all his international experience.
Stoltenberg, meanwhile, still described himself as “a social democrat” and a member of the Labour Party, but only an “ordinary” member. Others predict Stoltenberg will be offered new international posts, and may emerge as a future secretary general of the UN. Until then, Støre said he looks forward to more skiing and hiking and conversations with Stoltenberg for many years ahead.
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
