Norway has expressed a willingness to engage in discussions regarding a reinforced European nuclear weapons cooperation framework, as indicated by Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. This comes after French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that France would ramp up its nuclear arsenal for the first time since 1992, which has caught the attention of several European nations eager to support a closer strategic collaboration on a deterrence program involving nuclear weapons.

Eide highlighted that the EU is increasingly taking responsibility for European security, a shift that is expected to enhance cooperative efforts within NATO and among European allies. He noted that several countries are backing France's invitation to join in those discussions, indicating a growing consensus around the need for stronger defense collaboration in light of current geopolitical tensions.

During his briefing to the Norwegian parliament, Stortinget, Eide assured that Norway's nuclear weapons policy remains unchanged, emphasizing that Norway will not host nuclear weapons on its territory. The discussions aim to explore avenues for partnerships without altering Norway's longstanding commitment to non-nuclear weapons policy, indicating a careful navigation of regional defense dynamics without compromising national principles.