ISLAMABAD: Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide arrived in Islamabad on Thursday, August 13, for an official visit to Pakistan and held bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sen. Mohammad Ishaq Dar marking the first visit by a the country in 10 years, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.
The two day visit is expected to strengthen relations between Pakistan and Norway and create new opportunities for cooperation in several key areas. Eide will hold delegation level talks with Dar during his stay in Islamabad, according to the Foreign Office, additional Foreign Secretary for Europe Ambassador Ayesha Ali received Eide at the airport.
The discussions will cover the full range of bilateral relations between the two countries. Officials are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, climate change, renewable energy, education and people to people contacts.
Dar and Eide will also discuss major regional and international developments during their meetings. The talks are expected to provide an opportunity for both countries to exchange views on issues of shared interest and explore areas where they can work more closely. The talks between Dar and Eide are also expected to cover bilateral cooperation and other issues of shared concern.
The Norwegian minister’s visit follows several recent contacts between Pakistani and Norwegian officials. The Foreign Office said the visit comes after telephone conversations between Dar and Eide in March and April 2026, highlighting continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Norwegian State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik also visited Islamabad in May 2026. His visit further strengthened high level communication between Pakistan and Norway ahead of Eide’s trip.
The Foreign Office described Pakistan, Norway relations as longstanding and cordial. It said Eide’s visit would help both countries build on their existing relationship and identify new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Trade and investment are expected to remain important areas of discussion as Pakistan seeks to strengthen economic ties with European countries. Climate change and renewable energy are also likely to receive attention, particularly as both countries explore cooperation on sustainable development and clean energy.
The visit is expected to conclude with both sides exploring practical steps to expand cooperation across political, economic and social areas while strengthening the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and Norway.
