PH Embassy Celebrates 75th Anniversary of PH-Norway Bilateral Relations Focusing on Maritime Sector with the Theme, “75 Years of Creating Currents Together”
Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico T. Fos, delivering his keynote remarks during the reception in celebration of the 75th anniversary of PH-Norway bilateral relations (Oslo PE photo)
OSLO, 09 June 2023 - The Philippine Embassy to Norway celebrated the 75th anniversary of the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Norway, focusing on the maritime sector with the theme, “75 Years of Creating Currents Together” and the Norwegian Shipowners Association (NSA), and in cooperation with the Norwegian Embassy in Manila and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was held at the NSA building, Radhusgaten, Oslo, with the theme, “75 Years of Creating Currents Together”.
Key players of the Norwegian maritime industry, MARINA officials led by Administrator Atty. Hernani Fabia, and Norwegian Maritime Authority led by Director General Knut Arild Hareide were gathered together to celebrate the momentous event.
MARINA Administrator Atty. Hernani Fabia (left photo) and his counterpart, Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) Director General Knut Arild Hareide, delivered their respective statements, both vowed to take PH-Norway maritime relations a step further. (Oslo PE photo)
Key players of Norwegian maritime industry, members of the Norwegian Shipowners Association, former Filipino seafarers and officials of the Philippine Embassy and MARINA, during the reception in celebration of the 75th anniversary of PH-Norway bilateral relations. (Oslo PE photo)
In his remarks, Ambassador Fos noted that the vibrant maritime cooperation between the Philippines and Norway is one of the most important aspects of the sturdy relation between the two countries. He thanked Norway and the Norwegian shipowners for the continuous support to the Philippine maritime industry and for employing thousands of Filipino seafarers. There are currently more than 25 thousand Filipino seafarers aboard Norwegian owned and flagged vessels, accounting to 1/3 of the total number of seafarers in the Norwegian controlled vessels.
NMA Director General Knut Aril Hareide in his remarks assured Norway’s continuing support to the Philippine maritime industry. He noted that maritime relations between the Philippines and Norway started at the turn of the century, long before the establishment of the formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Norway in 1948.
Norwegian shipowners Association President Synnøve Seglem (left photo) in her welcome remarks and Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director Kristin Enstad (right photo) delivering her closing remarks. (Oslo PE photo)
CEOs of huge Norwegian Shipping companies also took the stage to share their significant experiences in working with Filipino seafarers highlighting the latter’s contributions to the safe and successful journey of every Norwegian fleet, and the speedy growth of the Norwegian maritime industry.
Also present during the event were the Filipino retired seafarers who are now residents of Norway. END
Ambassador Fos with the retired Filipino seafarers who are now residents in Norway. (Oslo PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.oslope.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinNorway/ or https://www.instagram.com/phinnorway/ .