09 January 2014

The Philippines and the Kingdom of Norway held the First Philippines-Norway Bilateral Consultations on 08 January 2014 in Manila.

The meeting was co-chaired by Office of European Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson and Director General Tore Hattrem of the Regional Affairs and Development Department of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two sides discussed current, bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of common concern. 

The Philippines expressed appreciation for the US$33.3 million assistance given by Norway through various channels. The Norwegian side informed that an additional US$8 million will be given for the rehabilitation of devastated communities in Central Visayas. The Philippines welcomed Norway’s interest in participating in the recovery and rehabilitation in the Philippines.

Both sides affirmed their commitment to further enhancing maritime cooperation. Norwegian owned, operated or managed vessels employ some 21,000 Filipino seafarers. Norway has actively extended technical assistance to the Philippines in complying with the STCW Convention.

In the area of peace and reconciliation, Norway acts as the country facilitator for the Philippines’ peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF. It is also a member of the International Monitoring Team in the Mindanao Peace Process. Norway welcomed the substantial progress made in the peace talks between the Philippine Government and the MILF.

Other areas of cooperation such as in labor, renewable energy and in education were also discussed. The Philippines and Norway will explore the possibility to further develop closer cooperation in the labor area.

Both sides agreed to exert efforts to promote bilateral trade and investment.

Among the regional and multilateral issues discussed were maritime security and the settling of disputes peacefully in the context of international law, particularly UNCLOS.

The First Bilateral Consultations takes place against the background of the first visit to the Philippines of Foreign Minister Børge Brende. END