Pakistan and Norway agreed on Thursday to expand cooperation across multiple sectors, marking the two nations’ most significant diplomatic engagement in ten years. The commitment came during high-level discussions in Islamabad aimed at reinforcing longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar met his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide, first in a restricted-format session before both leaders headed broader delegation talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials from the Foreign Office confirmed that the discussions covered the entire scope of ties between Islamabad and Oslo, along with regional and global issues of shared concern.
Trade, Climate and Education Take Centre Stage
The delegation-level talks focused heavily on practical areas of cooperation, including trade, investment, climate change, maritime affairs and education. Both sides also acknowledged the value of the Pakistani community living in Norway and agreed to deepen people-to-people exchanges going forward.
Officials from both countries expressed satisfaction with the current state of Pakistan Norway bilateral relations, describing them as warm and cordial, and committed to building further on shared interests.
Eide Praises Pakistan’s Regional Role
Speaking at a joint press conference following the meetings, FM Eide pointed to the strong connection between the two nations, citing the sizeable Pakistani population residing in Norway. He noted that a number of Norwegian firms are active in Pakistan, contributing to the country’s ongoing economic development.
Eide also commended Pakistan’s contributions toward regional and international peace efforts, saying these steps had earned recognition on the global stage. He cautioned that ongoing regional tensions pose risks to both worldwide stability and economic momentum, while praising Pakistan’s resolve during a difficult period.
The Norwegian foreign minister specifically referenced Pakistan’s constructive role during the recent Iran-US conflict, crediting the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for the country’s diplomatic handling of the crisis.
For his part, DPM Dar reiterated Pakistan’s intent to strengthen its partnership with Norway and to widen collaboration in areas benefiting both nations.
Two-Day Visit Marks Decade-High Engagement
FM Eide touched down in Islamabad earlier the same day for a two-day official visit, an occasion that Foreign Office officials described as the highest-level contact between Pakistan and Norway in ten years. He was welcomed at the airport by Additional Foreign Secretary for Europe, Ambassador Ayesha Ali.
The visit was extended at the invitation of DPM Dar. According to the Foreign Office, its purpose is to build on the two countries’ established relationship and identify fresh opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Ahead of Eide’s arrival, the Foreign Office indicated that talks would center on expanding trade and investment ties, climate change initiatives, renewable energy, education partnerships and stronger people-to-people links, alongside an exchange of views on pressing regional and international matters.
