PH, Norway Conduct 4th Round of Bilateral Consultations
DFA Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo greets Secretary General Strømmen during the 4th Round of Bilateral Consultations in the Kingdom of Norway on 12 April 2018.
OSLO 17 April 2018 – The Philippines and the Kingdom of Norway successfully concluded the 4th PH-Norway bilateral consultations on 12 April. The Philippine delegation, led by DFA Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo, included Commission on Filipino Overseas Undersecretary Astravel Pimentel-Naik, and representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Maritime Industry Authority. The Norwegian delegation was co-chaired by State Secretary Marianne Hagen and Secretary General Wegger Strømmen of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both sides affirmed their commitment to further enhance bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, including maritime cooperation, energy, sustainable use and protection of oceans, and counter-terrorism. They also exchanged views on regional and multilateral developments.
Both sides also expressed keen interest in the immediate implementation of the recently ratified PH-EFTA Free Trade Agreement which is set to enter into force in June this year.
The Philippines and Norway share a long history of friendship and cooperation, exemplified by the 25,000 Filipino seafarers on board Norwegian ships, and the 21,000-strong Filipino community based in Norway. The 4th PH-Norway bilateral consultations came at a significant time as the two countries celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations. END
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Members of the Philippine delegation with DFA Undersecretary Manalo and CFO Undersecretary Naik-Pimentel, and members of the Norwegian delegation with State Secretary Hagen