Oslo, 7 December (TDI): The 11th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) between Pakistan and Norway was held on 6 December in Oslo, Norway. The Pakistani delegation was led by Additional Secretary Europe, Dr. Muhammad Tariq. While, Vebjorn Dysvik, Director General Department for Regional Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway, headed the Norwegian side.
The two sides reviewed the entire gambit of Pakistan-Norway bilateral relations. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Additional Secretary Muhammad Tariq apprised the Norwegian side about the shift in Pakistan’s policy from geopolitics to geoeconomics. He said Pakistan highly values its economic relations with other countries.
Dr. Tariq invited the Norwegian companies to invest in Pakistan. He urged them to take benefit from the investment-friendly policies of Pakistan’s government particularly in clean and green energy, climate change, and agriculture.
He also proposed the establishment of a joint economic commission and initiation of negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty between the two countries
Developments in Afghanistan and IIOK
Moreover, Additional Secretary Tariq shared Pakistan’s perspective on the developments in Afghanistan. He informed the Norwegian delegation about Pakistan’s efforts for peace and stability in Kabul.
The Additional Secretary also reiterated the need for continued and positive engagement of the international community in Afghanistan. He said the international community must not leave Afghanistan alone at this critical juncture. It should collectively work for averting a humanitarian and economic crisis in Kabul.
The Norwegian delegation thanked Pakistan for assisting in the evacuation of its nationals from Kabul. It also expressed gratitude for allowing additional Norwegian diplomats to reside in Islamabad to look after Afghan affairs.
Furthermore, Dr. Muhammad Tariq brought forth the grave human rights violations in Illegally Indian Occupied Kashmir (IIOK). He added Indian is undertaking measures to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory.
During the meeting, the two sides expressed their resolve to further solidify bilateral and multilateral cooperation. They agreed to further explore avenues of cooperation in various sectors including trade, investment, technology, parliamentary exchanges, health, culture, and people-to-people linkages.
It was agreed to hold the 12th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Islamabad.
Sideline Meetings
The Additional Secretary also held meetings with the President of Norwegian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, Ine Eriksen Soreide, and State Secretary for Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Henrik Thune. These meetings marked a discussion on bilateral, regional, and multilateral matters.
Pakistan and Norway share cordial diplomatic relations based on mutual trust and respect. Norway is one of the leading investors in Pakistan. The 11th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations is a step forward in strengthening the relations between the two countries.
