ISLAMABAD: Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for a two-day official visit, marking the highest-level engagement between Pakistan and Norway in a decade.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar received Eide at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following his arrival in Islamabad, according to the Foreign Office.
Earlier, Norwegian Foreign Minister Eide was received at Islamabad International Airport by Additional Foreign Secretary for Europe Ambassador Ayesha Ali.
Two-Day Official Visit
Eide will remain in Pakistan from August 13 to 14 as part of his official visit, which comes at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
During the visit, the two foreign ministers will lead delegation-level talks covering a wide range of issues concerning Pakistan-Norway relations.
Trade and Investment Among Key Priorities
According to the Foreign Office, discussions will focus on expanding bilateral cooperation in several important areas, including:
- Trade and investment
- Climate change
- Renewable energy
- Education
- People-to-people contacts
The two sides are also expected to exchange views on major regional and international developments and discuss areas where closer cooperation could benefit both countries.
Growing High-Level Engagement
Eide’s visit follows a series of high-level contacts between Islamabad and Oslo.
The Foreign Office said Ishaq Dar and Espen Barth Eide held telephone conversations in March and April 2026, discussing bilateral and international issues.
Norway’s State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik also visited Islamabad in May, further strengthening diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Pakistan-Norway Relations
The Foreign Office described the Norwegian foreign minister’s visit as an opportunity to further strengthen the longstanding and cordial relationship between Pakistan and Norway.
The two countries are expected to explore new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in economic development, clean energy, education and climate-related initiatives.
Eide’s visit also reflects Pakistan’s efforts to deepen relations with European countries and expand cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic ties.
