Norway has praised Pakistan’s “important and constructive role” in promoting regional and international peace, particularly its engagement during the recent US-Iran conflict.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide made the remarks during his two-day official visit to Islamabad, where he held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and met Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The visit marks the highest-level engagement between Pakistan and Norway in a decade.
Eide and Dar held a restricted-format meeting before leading delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussions covered bilateral relations, regional developments and international issues of mutual interest.
The two sides reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, climate change, maritime affairs and education. They also agreed to strengthen people-to-people contacts and acknowledged the contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Norway.
Addressing a joint press conference, Dar said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Norway and remains committed to expanding bilateral cooperation.
He said both countries recognised that bilateral trade was below its existing potential and agreed to take concrete steps to increase economic engagement.
Dar said Islamabad and Oslo would also expedite several pending agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation across different sectors.
The deputy prime minister said labour mobility was another important area discussed during the talks. He added that both sides would continue efforts to establish legal pathways for the employment of skilled Pakistani workers in Norway.
Eide highlighted the longstanding ties between the two countries and noted the presence of a sizeable Pakistani community in Norway. He also pointed to the presence of several Norwegian companies operating in Pakistan and contributing to its economic development.
The Norwegian foreign minister praised Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional and international peace, saying Islamabad’s initiatives had received international recognition.
He warned that continuing regional tensions posed risks to global stability and economic growth.
Eide also commended Pakistan’s constructive engagement during the recent US-Iran conflict and acknowledged the role played by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
Eide Meets Field Marshal Munir
Earlier, Eide and his high-level delegation met Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting focused on regional security, bilateral relations and other matters of mutual interest.
Field Marshal Munir briefed the Norwegian foreign minister on Pakistan’s perspective regarding global peace and regional stability. He stressed the importance of cooperation and collective efforts to address shared security challenges.
Eide appreciated the professional role of the Pakistan Armed Forces in promoting regional peace and stability.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in defence and security.
Eide arrived in Islamabad earlier in the day and was received at the airport by Additional Foreign Secretary for Europe Ambassador Ayesha Ali.
The Norwegian foreign minister is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of DPM Dar.
The Foreign Office said the visit aims to strengthen the longstanding relationship between Islamabad and Oslo and identify new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.
The two sides are also expected to explore greater collaboration in trade and investment, climate change, renewable energy, education and people-to-people contacts, while exchanging views on key regional and international developments.