Norway commends Pakistan’s ‘constructive role’ in Iran-US conflict

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has 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 Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

The remarks came during delegation-level talks between Dar and Eide at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Thursday.

During their meeting, 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.

He was received at the airport by Additional Foreign Secretary for Europe Ayesha Ali and later by Dar at the Foreign Office.

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.

“The two sides have agreed on the expeditious finalization of various agreements and MOUs between the two countries,” he stated.

“We are grateful to Norway’s maritime authorities for their support in capacity building and providing technical training for Pakistan’s shipbreaking industry,” he added.

DPM Dar said both countries have also agreed to enhance people-to-people contacts. He said labour mobility was also a key area that was discussed and the two sides agreed to continue work on legal pathways for Pakistan’s skilled manpower.

He said both countries share a commitment to multilateralism, the principles of the UN Charter, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and peaceful resolution of disputes.

Dar said that he also briefed the Norwegian Foreign Minister on the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said India has brought a new dimension to an already volatile situation by unilaterally announcing the abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty in contravention of international law. “India must end the weaponisation of water and uphold its treaty obligations,” he reiterated.

In his remarks on the occasion, the Norwegian foreign minister said the partnership between Pakistan and Norway is strong.

He commended Pakistan’s important and constructive role during the recent Iran-US conflict. He said the efforts of PM Shehbaz, DPM Dar and CDF Munir are really a service to the world.