Norwegian FM, Army Chief Munir discuss regional security, defence ties

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide called on Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Thursday, with the two sides discussing regional security, bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Eide led a high-level Norwegian delegation during the meeting at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

Field Marshal Munir briefed the visiting dignitary on Pakistan’s perspective on global peace and regional stability, underscoring the importance of cooperation and joint efforts to address common security challenges.

The Norwegian foreign minister appreciated the professional role played by the Pakistan Armed Forces in promoting regional peace and stability, the military’s media wing said.

Both sides reiterated their resolve to strengthen bilateral ties and expand engagement in the defence and security domains.

During a delegation-level talks earlier today between Dar and Eide at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, Norwegian FM Eide commended Pakistan’s “important and constructive role” during the recent Iran-US conflict, including the contributions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and CDF Munir.

The two foreign ministers discussed the entire range of bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments, reaffirming their commitment to expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

According to the Foreign Office, the two sides reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-Norway bilateral relations, with discussions covering trade, investment, climate change, maritime affairs and education.

They expressed satisfaction with the “warm and cordial” state of bilateral ties and agreed to further deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The two sides also held detailed discussions on regional and international developments, the Foreign Office said.

Eide particularly appreciated Pakistan’s role during the recent Iran-US conflict and acknowledged the leadership and contributions of the Pakistani prime minister, foreign minister and army chief, according to the statement.

The officials also recognized the important role of the Pakistani diaspora in Norway and agreed to strengthen people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

Eide arrived in Islamabad earlier in the day on an official visit, becoming the highest-level Norwegian official to visit Pakistan in a decade.

Later, addressing a joint press conference, the deputy prime minister said Pakistan greatly values its relations with Norway and looks forward to further strengthening them.

He said both sides agreed that their bilateral trade is below the potential of two economies and there is a need to enhance it through effective measures.

Dar said Pakistan offers enormous investment opportunities to Norwegian companies. He said a renowned Norwegian company Yara International, is establishing a joint venture in plant nutrition with Fauji Fertilizer Company in Pakistan. He hoped this initiative would be a trailblazer for many more future projects between the two countries.

The deputy prime minister mentioned that our technology partnership with Norway is a success story and highlighted five-fold increase in Pakistan’s IT exports to Norway.