Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide is set to visit Islamabad, marking the first visit by a Norwegian foreign minister to Pakistan in 10 years.
WEB DESK: Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide is set to visit Pakistan next week, marking the first visit by a Norwegian foreign minister to the country in a decade, according to the Foreign Office.
Eide is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on August 17 for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Bilateral relations on agenda
During his visit, the Norwegian foreign minister is expected to hold talks with senior Pakistani officials on a range of bilateral and regional issues.
According to the Foreign Office, discussions are expected to cover bilateral relations, regional developments and matters of mutual interest.
Eide’s visit is being viewed as an opportunity for Islamabad and Oslo to strengthen political and diplomatic engagement after a decade-long gap in ministerial-level visits.
First Norwegian foreign ministerial visit in 10 years
The upcoming trip will be the first visit by a Norwegian foreign minister to Pakistan since 2016.
The visit comes as Pakistan seeks to expand engagement with European countries on trade, investment, regional security and other areas of mutual interest.
Norway has maintained diplomatic relations with Pakistan for decades, while the two countries have also cooperated in areas including development, education, humanitarian assistance and economic engagement.
Regional issues expected to feature
Regional security and developments in South Asia are also expected to feature prominently during Eide’s meetings in Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has said the visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on regional and international developments and explore avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Eide is expected to meet senior Pakistani leadership during his two-day stay.
