Pakistan and Norway Agree to Further Strengthen Ties in Multiple Spheres

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar paid an official visit to Norway on 5-6 June 2023.The Minister of State held meetings with Foreign Minister, Anniken Huitfeldt and State Secretary, Erling Rimestad. At the Norwegian Parliament, the Minister of State met with members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence led by Chair of the Committee, Ms. Ine Eriksen Søreide.

In the meeting with the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Anniken Huitfeldt, the two sides appreciated 75 years of bilateral relationship and agreed to further strengthen ties in multiple spheres. They also reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism to address regional and global challenges.

In the meeting with State Secretary Erling Rimestad, the Minister of Sate expressed gratitude for Norway’s generous support for flood affectees in Pakistan. The two sides discussed investments in micro hydropower plants in Pakistan and agreed to enhance cooperation in areas such as green energy, shipping and blue economy and collaboration in higher education and research. Views were also exchanged on issues confronting regional and global security.

In the meeting with the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues of mutual interest and risks to global peace were discussed. The Minister of State expressed the hope that Norway will continue to promote international law and play an important role in resolution of international conflicts.

The Minister of State addressed the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) where she spoke on “Global Peace & Security seen from Pakistan”. In her address she spoke about global and regional developments, its impact on international political order and Pakistan’s security outlook. The event included diplomats, politicians, officials of Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, prominent diaspora members, academia and media.

The Minister of State also met the top management of the Norwegian companies already in business in Pakistan, including Executive Vice President, Telenor, Rita Skjaervik, CEO Scatec, Terje Pilskog, CEO Jotun Paints, Morten Fon, Chair Norhydro, Robert Storbekk and CEO Norhydro Rukhsar Hamid. She appreciated their investments and expressed the hope that these investments would encourage other private companies from Norway to develop business relations with Pakistan.

The Minister of State also had a luncheon meeting with a group of young and aspiring Norwegian entrepreneurs in SMEs and IT sectors, who are interested in doing business in Pakistan. Senior representatives of Norway’s Shipowners’ Association also participated in the meeting.

The visit of the Minister of State took place prior to holding of the 12th Session of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Norway. Her interaction with the Norwegian leadership and the decisions taken would help guide the agenda of the upcoming consultations. The exchange of bilateral visits at the Deputy Foreign Minister-level within a span of six months has provided fresh impetus to bilateral ties between Pakistan and Norway, as the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.