Philippines and Norway Conclude 6th Bilateral Consultations in Oslo
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (right), headed the Philippine delegation to the 6th Philippines-Norway Bilateral Consultations. With her is with Norway`s Foreign Affairs State Secretary Erling Rimestad (left), head of the Norwegian delegation (DFA photo)
OSLO 21 April 2023 – The 6th Bilateral Consultations of the Philippines and Norway were concluded successfully on 21 April 2023 in Oslo, Norway.
In her opening remarks, the Philippine head of delegation, Foreign Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, thanked Foreign Affairs State Secretary Erling Rimestad, who led the Norwegian delegation, for hosting the sixth round of Consultations this year.
Both sides discussed Philippines-Norway bilateral relations, and explored ways to expand cooperation, deepen trade and economic links, reaffirm commonalities in values as regards the international rules-based order, and enhance wide-ranging opportunities between the two countries.
Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico T. Fos, co-head of the Philippine delegation, highlighted a number of issues such as the need to raise awareness on the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) and the Philippines-European Free Trade Association FTA, technical cooperation and financing of project on mangrove reforestation, renewable energy, among others.
The Bilateral Consultations reviewed political and economic developments, maritime cooperation, the EFTA, science and technology cooperation, the Green Transition and renewable energy, law enforcement cooperation and security developments in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, including the West Philippine Sea.
The two countries celebrate 75 years of bilateral relations this year. END
The Philippine and Norwegian delegations deep in discussions during the 6th Philippines-Norway Political Consultations.