French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron are in Norway on an official visit 23–24 June at the invitation of Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
The President was accompanied by the French Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Éric Lombard, Minister delegate for Europe and Foreign Affairs Benjamin Haddad and Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, as well as a French business delegation.
‘It is a pleasure to welcome the French President and First Lady to Oslo. It is more than 40 years since a French President last paid an official visit to Norway. Today we have signed a number of agreements that will strengthen cooperation between our two countries,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Security and defence
The visit began with a working lunch at Akershus Castle, where the Prime Minister and President were joined by Minister of Finance Jens Stoltenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide and Minister of Research and Higher Education Sigrun Aasland. The Prime Minister and President then had a private meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister and received a briefing from the Norwegian Armed Forces.
‘Today we have had constructive discussions about security and defence in Europe, and about the best way to support Ukraine in its fight to defend itself. We also talked about the situation in the Arctic and the dramatic developments in the Middle East. The meeting has been very well timed: this is the day before the NATO Summit in The Hague, which we will both be attending. The increasingly serious security situation in Europe and the threat posed by Russia are bringing France and Norway even closer together,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Partnership agreement signed
During the visit, Prime Minster Støre and President Macron signed a strategic partnership agreement between Norway and France with a broad focus on security.
‘I am very pleased that we are further strengthening our cooperation with France today by entering into a strategic partnership. The goals we have set are ambitious but absolutely vital against the current global backdrop; we will work to make Europe safer and stronger and help to make our planet sustainable for future generations,’ said Mr Støre.
The President was given a brief tour of the National Museum accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Ingrid Alexandra. Prime Minister Støre and President Macron then co-chaired a round-table discussion with representatives of French and Norwegian energy, industrial and technology companies.
‘Norway and France will increase cooperation on the green transition in order to achieve our climate targets, create jobs and make European supply chains more resilient. Both our countries have companies working at the cutting edge in developing and using new technologies. I believe that we will soon see far greater cooperation in this field,’ said Prime Minister Støre.
A number of other agreements
During the visit the parties also signed an agreement on a bilateral health partnership with a view to strengthening future health preparedness as well as agreements specifically targeted towards carbon capture and storage.
The first day of the visit will conclude with a gala dinner at the Royal Palace hosted by Their Majesties The King and Queen.
(News and photos from regjeringen.no)
