19 October 2014 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario met with the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende at the sidelines of the 10th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Milan, Italy.
Secretary Del Rosario reiterated the Philippine advocacy for a peaceful and rules-based resolution on the West Philippine Sea, underscoring the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation in the region.
The Secretary thanked the Norwegian government for its humanitarian assistance to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda and updated the Norwegian official of current efforts of the Philippine government to build back better and safer communities in the typhoon-affected areas.
Foreign Minister Brende previously undertook a visit to the Philippines on 7-9 January 2014 to assess further assistance that Norway could provide to the areas affected by Haiyan/Yolanda.
Foreign Minister Brende reiterated Norway’s support as Third Country Facilitator for Philippine peace talks with the communists and expressed hope towards progress in the negotiations. He also conveyed the Norwegian government’s continued support to the Mindanao peace process by extending assistance in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Norway has been part of the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao and has provided capacity building and workshops on the normalization process.
Both officials agreed that maintaining the high standards of the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) would be mutually beneficial to both economies. Norway provided technical expertise to the Philippines in preparation for the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) Audit which concluded earlier this month.
Secretary Del Rosario expressed optimism in the interest of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which includes Norway, in negotiating a free trade agreement with the Philippines and said that the signing of the Joint Declaration on Cooperation between the Philippines and EFTA in June last year in Iceland set the stage for the eventual launch of FTA negotiations. Both officials looked forward to increased trade and economic relations between the Philippines and Norway. END