Islamabad: Pakistan and Norway have agreed to strengthen their people-to-people ties. An understanding to this effect came at delegation level talks between the two countries at the foreign office in Islamabad today. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar represented the Pakistani delegation, while the Norwegian side was led by Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

According to Radio Pakistan, both sides reviewed the whole gamut of bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, climate change, maritime affairs, and education. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the warm and cordial state of Pakistan-Norway relations and agreed to further deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

In his remarks on the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan cherishes its friendship with Norway and expressed a desire to further enhance the bilateral relationship. He highlighted that a number of Norwegian companies are working in Pakistan and contributing to the country's growth and development.

The discussions also covered regional and international developments of mutual interest. The Norwegian Foreign Minister commended Pakistan's important and constructive role during the recent Iran-US conflict, acknowledging the leadership and contributions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.