ABSTRACT
The value for Norway of the Swedish and Finnish policies of neutrality can hardly be exaggerated. Swedish and Finnish neutrality form a fundamental part of the international preconditions for the Norwegian approach to security policy. The nature of Finnish security policy is probably best understood by reference to the basic dictum that for Finnish security foreign policy is of paramount importance. A prime interest in Finnish security policy is to maintain the most cordial relations possible with the Soviet Union. The security policies of Finland and Sweden are thus "givens" for Norwegian security planners. The general problem of Swedish defense spending could have implications for Norwegian security, much in line with what has been mentioned in previous paragraphs about military scenarios. The democratic debate on security could alter national priorities "from within". Whether this would be of significance as compared with the challenges to national security stemming from the international system, is hard to judge.
