Norway hails Pakistan's US-Iran mediation as 'service to world'

ISLAMABAD:

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide on Thursday strongly endorsed Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, describing Islamabad's role as a "service to the world" while the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, defence, climate change, maritime affairs and education.

Eide, the first Norwegian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in a decade, said Oslo recognised the "massive task" undertaken by Pakistan in offering Islamabad as a venue and facilitator for talks between Washington and Tehran.

"What you have been doing is really a service to the world, and hence, also to us," Eide said at a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

He said Norway had been among the Western countries that were "clearest and earliest" in stating that the US-Israel attack on Iran and the ensuing war violated international rules.

"If we stand up for international law, it has to apply to everyone, everywhere, all the time," he said, while stressing that despite Norway's "significant disagreements" with Iran on other issues, Tehran also had the right to be protected as a state.

Eide's remarks came as Pakistan and Norway issued a joint communiqué following delegation-level talks in Islamabad, in which the Norwegian side formally appreciated Pakistan's "constructive mediatory role" in support of regional stability.

According to the communiqué, Norway welcomed Pakistan's mediation efforts in the Iran-US conflict, including the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed by the parties on June 17 and the subsequent high-level technical talks.

Norway also reaffirmed its support for Pakistan's continued efforts towards a "peaceful and durable resolution" of the conflict.

Eide said he understood the difficulty of mediation, particularly when the conflict involved major powers and regional security interests.

"I know what a massive task you were taking on when you offered Islamabad not only as the venue but also as the facilitator of these talks," he said, praising Pakistan's civilian and military leadership for their efforts.

During delegation-level talks earlier, Eide described Pakistan's role in the conflict as "important and constructive" and praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and Dar for their leadership, according to the Foreign Office.

He also said Pakistan's position on the world stage, including its role in peacemaking, had been strengthened by its diplomatic engagement.

Norway, he added, was ready to assist Pakistan's peace efforts where it could.

"Wherever we can be useful, we will," he said, noting that Oslo had experience in peace negotiations and maintained dialogue with both Tehran and Washington.

The Norwegian foreign minister also linked the Iran conflict to wider international concerns over maritime security, saying Norway had a particular interest in keeping sea lanes open because it was a major shipping nation.

"We share an interest in open sea lanes and the ability to trade in the high seas," Eide said, adding that free passage through strategic waterways was a global issue rather than one concerning only the parties to the conflict.

His comments assume added significance as the conflict has raised concerns over shipping and maritime security in the Gulf and surrounding waterways.

The Norwegian foreign minister also met Field Marshal Asim Munir, with the two sides discussing matters of mutual interest, regional security and bilateral relations.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, Field Marshal Munir shared Pakistan's perspective on global peace and regional stability and stressed the importance of cooperation in addressing common security challenges.

Eide appreciated the "professional role" played by the Pakistan Armed Forces in promoting regional peace and stability.

The joint communiqué also reflected growing convergence between Islamabad and Oslo on regional security concerns.

On Afghanistan, both sides expressed serious concern over the presence of terrorist entities and reiterated that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries.

They reaffirmed the importance of combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in accordance with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Norway also acknowledged the serious security threats faced by Pakistan and encouraged efforts aimed at reducing tensions, addressing security concerns and upholding international law.

The two sides also discussed the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly restrictions affecting women and girls, including access to education, participation in public life, freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

 

Makkah defence pact

Eide said he had also discussed Pakistan's recently signed defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, describing the three countries as states with which Norway enjoyed "very good and close relations".

Dar said the two sides had a "great discussion" on the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, noting that Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia all had strong relations with Norway.

The pact, signed earlier this month in Makkah, has emerged as a significant development in the regional security landscape, with Pakistan maintaining that the agreement is defensive in nature.

Beyond regional and global security issues, the visit focused heavily on expanding economic relations.

Dar said Pakistan and Norway had agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, education, defence, climate change, information technology and maritime affairs.

He acknowledged that bilateral trade remained below the potential of the two economies and said effective measures were needed to expand commercial ties.

"Pakistan offers enormous investment opportunities to Norwegian companies," Dar said, pointing to the growing presence of Norwegian businesses in Pakistan.

He specifically highlighted Yara International's planned joint venture in plant nutrition with Fauji Fertiliser, describing it as a potential "trailblazer" for further Norwegian investment.

Information technology was another area highlighted by the foreign minister.

Dar said Pakistan's IT exports to Norway had increased more than five-fold over the past two years, calling the technology partnership between the two countries a "success story".

He also said the two sides had agreed to expedite the finalisation of various agreements and memoranda of understanding.

The joint communiqué identified renewable energy, mining, offshore oil and gas, IT and IT-enabled services, and ship-breaking and recycling as potential areas for Norwegian investment.

The two sides also agreed to continue cooperation under the Joint Declaration of Cooperation between Pakistan and the European Free Trade Association, while stressing the importance of a multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation at its core.

Climate change also featured prominently in the talks, with both sides reviewing progress under the agreement signed on April 1 under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Pakistan expressed interest in benefiting further from Norwegian expertise in renewable energy, hydropower, biogas and climate-resilient agriculture.

The two countries also discussed cooperation in the maritime sector, particularly ship recycling.

Pakistan, which has ratified the Hong Kong International Convention, has been working with Norway under the SENSREC-DW Pakistan project.

The two sides also took note of a newly concluded memorandum of understanding on the recognition of training and certification of seafarers serving aboard Norwegian-flagged vessels.

They agreed to build on this cooperation, including in the field of green shipping.

Dar said Pakistan's strategic location and established ship-recycling industry offered opportunities for Norwegian maritime interests.

He also thanked Norwegian maritime authorities for supporting capacity building and technical training for Pakistan's shipbreaking industry.

Eide placed considerable emphasis on the Pakistani community in Norway, saying the sizeable diaspora had become an important bridge between the two countries.

"We have a sizeable diaspora of Pakistani descent," he said, describing many of them as a "very welcome contribution" to Norwegian society.

He said the presence of people who understood both countries intimately provided another argument for strengthening economic ties.

The joint communiqué similarly recognised the contribution of the Norwegian-Pakistani community to Norway's political, economic and cultural life.

The two countries also agreed to strengthen people-to-people contacts and parliamentary exchanges.

On education, the two sides welcomed cooperation through programmes such as the Norwegian Partnership Programme for Global Academic Cooperation and Norway's newly launched scholarship scheme for students from developing countries.

They agreed to continue efforts to facilitate academic mobility between Pakistan and Norway.

Pakistan and Norway also discussed labour mobility, with Dar saying the two sides had agreed to continue working on legal pathways for Pakistani skilled workers.

Both countries stressed the need to combat human smuggling and irregular migration, while supporting safe, orderly and regular migration channels.

Dar said legal migration pathways could help protect migrants' rights and lives while undermining the business model of smuggling networks.

The talks also covered a range of regional and international issues.

Dar briefed Eide on Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan's concerns over India's unilateral decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

He said Pakistan had urged India to uphold its treaty obligations and end what Islamabad described as the weaponisation of water.

Norway, meanwhile, briefed Pakistan on Russia's war against Ukraine.

Both sides reaffirmed support for resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the UN Charter.

On Palestine, Pakistan and Norway welcomed international efforts to end the war in Gaza and stressed the need for all parties to honour ceasefire commitments and allow safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian assistance.

They supported practical steps towards a sustainable long-term peace based on a two-state solution in accordance with international law, the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions.

The two countries agreed to maintain regular high-level contacts and expand cooperation across a broad range of areas.

The joint communiqué said the two sides would convene the 14th round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Islamabad in December 2026.

Dar said the consultations had become a regular feature of Pakistan-Norway relations.

The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and agreed to continue supporting each other's candidatures at international organisations.

Eide's visit, the first by a Norwegian foreign minister to Pakistan in ten years, marked a significant revival of high-level engagement between Islamabad and Oslo.

The Norwegian minister said the visit had been short but effective, while Dar expressed confidence that it would open "a new chapter" in bilateral relations and contribute to greater cooperation and mutual prosperity.