ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Norway on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in areas of defence and security.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who is leading a high-level delegation, called on the Chief of Defence Forces and the Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security and bilateral relations between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Norway were discussed,” ISPR said.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir highlighted the country’s perspective on global peace and regional stability, underscoring the importance of cooperation and collaborative efforts to address common security challenges.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide meets Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at GHQ, with both sides discussing regional security, bilateral relations and enhanced cooperation in defence and security domains.#PakistanNorway #AsimMunir #DefenceCooperation #RegionalSecurity… pic.twitter.com/JDJ17aFMZ0
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) August 13, 2026
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 further strengthen bilateral ties and expand engagements in defence and security domains,” ISPR said.
Norway backs Pakistan’s peace role
Earlier, the two countries agreed to deepen economic and diplomatic ties, including efforts to boost trade, expedite pending agreements, and expand labour mobility, as Oslo praised Islamabad’s role in promoting peace during the recent Iran-US conflict.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and H.E. Mr. Espen Barth Eide @EspenBarthEide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, led delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both sides reviewed the whole gamut… pic.twitter.com/2yrfD8Lm0b
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 13, 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide held delegation-level talks in Islamabad, followed by a joint press conference in which both sides outlined areas for expanding bilateral cooperation.
“I also really want to reiterate our strong support for the very important role that Pakistan has taken in this dramatic war that started on February 28 with the US-Israel attack on Iran,” he said, recalling that Norway was one of the Western countries that was “clearest and earliest” in stating that the war was a violation of international rules.
“If we stand up for international law, it has to apply to everyone, everywhere, all the time,” he stressed.
Coming to Islamabad’s mediatory role in the ongoing conflict, he said he realised how difficult mediation and facilitation of parleys between the two sides could be.
Joint Press Stakeout: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister H.E. Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway H.E. Mr. Espen Barth Eide @EspenBarthEide pic.twitter.com/3eLsqLo8Ec
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 13, 2026
“I know what a massive task you were taking on when you offered Islamabad not only as the venue but also as the facilitator of these talks,” he said, lauding Islamabad’s civilian and military leadership for their efforts.
“What you have been doing is really a service to the world, and hence, also to us.”
The Norwegian foreign minister said Islamabad’s mediation efforts also mattered to his country as it was a large shipping nation.
Moreover, Eide said, he was glad to learn more about a recently signed defence pact between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia in Makkah.
“These are three countries with whom Norway has very good and close relations,” he noted.
Dar said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Norway and that the two countries had agreed that bilateral trade remained below its potential. He said Islamabad and Oslo would work on concrete measures to increase economic engagement.
Osla and Islamabad focus on labour mobility
The two sides also agreed to expedite the finalisation of pending agreements and memoranda of understanding to strengthen cooperation across various sectors, Dar said.
Also Read: Norway Backs Pakistan’s Peace Role
Labour mobility was another focus of the discussions, with the two countries agreeing to enhance people-to-people contacts and continue working on legal pathways to facilitate employment opportunities for Pakistan’s skilled workforce in Norway.
The talks covered trade, investment, climate change, maritime affairs, and education. The two sides also recognised the contribution of Pakistan’s diaspora in Norway and agreed to strengthen people-to-people links.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a restricted-format meeting with H.E. Mr. Espen Barth Eide @EspenBarthEide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway.
DPM/FM warmly welcomed Foreign Minister Espen Eide to Pakistan.… pic.twitter.com/JsWI11khxq
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 13, 2026
Eide said Oslo had strong links with Islamabad, noting that a large Pakistani community lives in Norway and that Norwegian companies are operating in Pakistan and contributing to its economic development.
Earlier today, Foreign Minister Eide arrived in Islamabad for a two-day official visit, marking the highest-level engagement between Pakistan and Norway in a decade.
