Pakistan, Norway reaffirm resolve to strengthen bilateral ties, expand engagement in defence and security

AI Summary

Pakistan and Norway reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in defense and security during Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide's visit to Islamabad. They discussed regional security, global peace efforts, and Pakistan’s mediatory role in the US-Iran conflict, emphasizing the importance of open sea lanes for trade.

Pakistan and Norway on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in defence and security. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, called on Chief of Defence Forces and the Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, with the two leaders reiterating their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand engagement in defence and security, according to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The two sides discussed matters of “mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral relations”. During the meeting, Field Marshal Munir highlighted “Pakistan’s perspective on global peace and regional stability” and stressed the “importance of cooperation and collaborative 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”. Earlier in the day, Eide addressed a press conference alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, during which he lauded Pakistan’s mediatory role in the US-Iran conflict, saying it was a “service to the world and hence, also to us”. “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. He said that while Norway had “significant disagreements with Iran on other issues, they also have the right to be protected as a state”. Referring to Pakistan’s mediatory role in the ongoing conflict, he said he realised how difficult mediation and facilitation of parleys between the two sides could be. “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 Pakistan’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 Pakistan’s mediation efforts also mattered to his country as it was a large shipping nation. “We share an interest in open sea lanes and the ability to trade in the high seas, and to respect the Constitution of the Oceans […] Whatever emerges from this tragic and unnecessary war in Gulf, we need to protect the principle of the free passage,” he explained. “And I am so happy we see completely eye to eye [on this],” he remarked. The visiting minister added that his message to “anyone involved out there in the conflict is that this issue of free passage and an open strait is not an issue for the warring parties alone. It is a global issue that we have a shared interest in promoting”. He said he had discussed other regional issues during the visit as well, ranging from the Kashmir issue to Afghanistan. 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. At the outset of his address, Eide said he was honoured to be in Pakistan, saying the last time a Norwegian foreign minister visited Pakistan was 10 years ago. “So it was about time,” he remarked. “I promised you many months ago that I would come, and today, I live up to my promise. I was looking forward to this visit, which is short but very effective.” Eide said there was a “strong partnership” between Norway and Pakistan, as well as the people of the two countries. “We have a sizeable diaspora of Pakistani descent […] Many of them are in key positions of politics and society and are a very welcome contribution to our country; and the fact that we have so many people who know these two countries intimately is yet another argument for strengthening our economic ties,” he added. The Norwegian foreign minister further said that Oslo and Islamabad were discussing strengthening economic ties “in the context of specifics” and enhancing trade ties in more structural ways. He also mentioned climate change and floods in Pakistan, saying that the two sides agreed it was a foreign policy issue. “And if you need one additional argument for stopping wars apart from relieving suffering and ending economic harm, it is that mankind should collectively try to focus on the real issues that require real cooperative action,” he said. Eide mentioned combatting nature loss, climate change, promoting global health and fighting poverty in this connection, adding that all of them were on his agenda for discussions during the visit. Speaking before him, Dar said t