Relationship dossier
Germany
Norway
Relationship assessment
Close partnership built on NATO cooperation, energy ties and joint defense procurement
Germany toward Norway
+75Germany works with Norway through NATO and bilateral defense cooperation, including a 2017 agreement for the joint procurement of submarines. German-Norwegian energy cooperation has also expanded, particularly around energy security and gas supplies.
Norway toward Germany
+75Norway cooperates with Germany through NATO and bilateral defense initiatives, including the 2017 joint submarine procurement agreement. Norwegian gas supplies and government-to-government energy cooperation have become important elements of Norway’s relationship with Germany.
Overall relationship
+75The relationship is characterized by sustained security cooperation, joint defense procurement and strong energy ties. Norway’s role as a major gas supplier to Germany reinforces the partnership, while differences arising from Norway’s non-EU status are not a defining source of bilateral conflict.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Germany and Norway maintain a close partnership through NATO, extensive energy cooperation and joint defense procurement. Norway is a major supplier of natural gas to Germany, and the governments have developed cooperation on energy security. Their 2017 submarine procurement agreement is a significant example of long-term defense collaboration. Norway’s position outside the EU creates some differences in institutional alignment, but these have not displaced substantial bilateral cooperation.
Key developments
Germany and Norway agreed on joint procurement of submarines, establishing a major long-term defense cooperation program.
The governments expanded bilateral energy cooperation, including collaboration related to energy security and gas supplies.
Major uncertainties
- The long-term scope and implementation of bilateral energy cooperation are unclear.
- The extent of defense cooperation beyond major procurement programs is uncertain.