Member of Parliament Ine Eriksen Søreide (right) opens the gift from the Philippine Embassy in Norway after meeting with Ambassador Enrico Fos. The meeting covered present and possible bilateral partnerships, as well as exchange of views on regional and multilateral issues. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy in Oslo)
PH seeks maritime cooperation with Norway
Mar 15, 2023 10:30 AM
At a glance
The Philippines has sought maritime cooperation with Norway as the country aims to bolster its ties with Europe.
Manila's intent was expressed during Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico Fos' recent meeting with Ine Eriksen Søreide, member of the Norwegian Parliament, at the Stortinget.
Søreide is the chairperson of the Expanded Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Norwegian Storting (Parliament). A senior politician, she served as Defense Minister from 2013 to 2017 and Foreign Minister from 2017 to 2020. She is also involved in defense, security, foreign affairs and the European Union committees in the Storting.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday that current and future engagements on maritime cooperation were discussed by the two officials as they exchanged views on international and regional issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the West Philippine Sea.
DFA did not say in particular what type of maritime cooperation Manila is seeking from Oslo.
Meanwhile, oceans and marine pollution, renewable energy, defense and security, and people to people partnerships, particularly on technical cooperation and exchange of knowledge on these issues, were also tackled, DFA added.
"Ambassador Fos mentioned that this year is the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Norway," DFA said.
This year "would be a good opportunity to take stock of the relations and look for avenues for more growth, to which MP Søreide agreed, and also appreciated the good relations between the two countries over the years," it added.