By Peter Apps OSLO, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Norway expects NATO to help defend its Arctic borders given its involvement in the western military alliance's operations in Afghanistan, Defence Minister Anne-Grete Strom-Erichsen said. Norway shares its Arctic sea and land borders with Russia, which has increased military activity there over past months. A defence ministry report leaked last month said NATO's focus has turned away from Norway and the Cold War frontier in Europe's north, and that Oslo may not be able to rely on NATO assistance in case of a "serious conflict" with Russia. But Strom-Erichsen played down such fears in an interview with Reuters. "I think NATO will defend the northern flank if necessary," she said. "That is why NATO is so important to Norway. That is one of the reasons we feel it is very important we meet our responsibilities in Afghanistan." Despite opposition by most Norwegians and a small far-left group in government, Norway has about 700 troops in Afghanistan, underlining its own commitment to the western military alliance. Strom-Erichsen said Norway was increasing its military presence in its far north, but is keen to avoid an arms race and keep relations with Moscow friendly. Norway and Russia share energy interests in the Arctic and have yet to resolve an ownership dispute over a potentially oil- and gas-rich area in the Barents Sea half the size of Germany. "It is important to show we are present," Strom-Erichsen said. "We have increased the coastguard presence and also the air force presence." With Russia staking claim to new areas of the Arctic, other states such as Canada have said they will increase their own presence there, keen to defend mineral and oil resources and sea routes cleared of ice by global warming. Long-range Russian bombers have in past weeks intensified flights to the edge of Norway's air space, where they have been met by Norwegian fighters in a repeat of Cold War encounters. NATO member Canada said earlier in the year, after a Russian expedition planted the flag on the sea bed below the North Pole, that the principle in Arctic sovereignty was to "use it or lose it", announcing the opening of new bases. Norway is keen to avoid antagonising Russia and has repeatedly expressed sympathy for Russian concerns over a U.S. missile shield to be located in eastern Europe. "We are very sceptical about the missile defence plan," Strom-Erichsen said. "It is very important that the Russians do not see this as a threat. We do not want to end up in a new arms race and that is what would happen if we are not aware."
