The work of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) is divided between five committees. All five have challenging and highly interesting agendas during the weekend’s meetings.

Are sanctions against Russia working?

The Economics and Security Committee will be taking a closer look at the effects of sanctions on Russia. The committee will also be listening to Thina Saltvedt, an oil and energy analyst, who will be informing the members about current changes in the global oil and gas market. The Norwegian members of this committee are Christian Tybring-Gjedde (Progress Party) and Hans Olav Syversen (Christian Democratic Party).

Challenges in the Middle East and the High North

The Political Committee will receive briefings on several current security issues. Lt Gen. Kjell Grandhagen, Head of the Norwegian Intelligence Service, will talk about the changing security environment in the north. Sverre Lodgaard, a senior researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs will shed light on recent developments in the Middle East. The committee will also be considering a resolution on a joint and comprehensive response to the crises in the Middle East and North Africa. Øyvind Halleraker (Conservative Party), head of the Norwegian delegation, and Liv Signe Navarsete (Centre Party) are the Norwegian members of this committee.

Terrorism and misinformation

The Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security will be considering the issues of terrorism and propaganda. Tore Bjørgo, from the Norwegian Police University College, has been invited to speak about a holistic approach to preventing terrorism, while Petter Nesser from the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment will be talking about Charlie Hebdo and European jihadism. The committee will also be examining a report on Russia’s propaganda and misinformation campaigns. The Norwegian members of this committee are Rigmor Aasrud and Martin Henriksen, both from the Labour Party.

The Minister of Defence is coming

The Defence and Security Committee has invited the Norwegian Minister of Defence, Ine Eriksen Søreide, and the Chief of Defence, Admiral Haakon Bruun-Hanssen, to speak about the Nordic defence collaboration (NORDEFCO) and Norway’s role in new NATO initiatives. Among the matters the committee will consider is the report “Hybrid Warfare: NATO's New Strategic Challenge?” The Norwegian members of the committee are Sverre Myrli (Labour Party) and Frank Bakke-Jensen (Conservative Party). Myrli is the chair of the Sub-Committee on Transatlantic Defence and Security Co-operation.

Visiting the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre

The Science and Technology Committee is due to visit the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre at Sola in Southern Norway. While there, the committee will receive a briefing on the Norwegian rescue services, in particular the work currently taking place in the High North. During its meetings the committee will also be considering such matters as the nuclear deal with Iran, Russian defence modernization, and the effects of climate change on the security situation. The Norwegian members of the committee are Jan Arild Ellingsen (Progress Party) and Linda Hofstad Helleland (Conservative Party). Ellingsen is the chair of the Sub-Committee on Energy and Environmental Security.