Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide visited the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Thursday, where he held talks with Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The discussions focused on regional security, bilateral relations, and areas of mutual interest.
Eide led a high-level Norwegian delegation during the meeting, emphasizing the importance of strengthening defence and security cooperation between the two countries. Field Marshal Munir presented Pakistan’s viewpoint on global peace and regional stability, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to tackle shared security challenges.
The Norwegian foreign minister commended the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces in fostering regional peace and stability. Both parties expressed their commitment to enhancing bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in defence and security sectors.
This visit marks the first time in a decade that a Norwegian foreign minister has traveled to Pakistan. Earlier on the same day, Eide held delegation-level talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Their discussions covered a broad range of topics including trade, investment, climate change, maritime affairs, education, as well as regional and global developments.
Notably, Eide praised Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace during the recent US-Iran conflict, underscoring the country’s diplomatic contributions to stability in the region.