Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday discussed bilateral ties, regional developments and counterterrorism cooperation, with a focus on the security situation in Afghanistan.
Eide, who arrived in Pakistan a day earlier on a two-day visit the first by a Norwegian foreign minister in 10 years also agreed with Naqvi to enhance cooperation in counterterrorism, combating illegal immigration, police training and mutual legal assistance.
According to the Interior Ministry, the two sides discussed activities of proscribed organisations operating from Afghanistan. Naqvi told the Norwegian minister that Afghan soil was “continuously being used for terrorism in Pakistan” and urged joint efforts for the complete elimination of terrorism.
The two ministers also discussed illegal immigration to Europe. Naqvi said Pakistan’s measures had resulted in a 47 per cent decline in illegal immigration to Europe and that the government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against the practice. He stressed that promoting legal migration was essential to curbing illegal immigration.
Eide appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive and active” role in the US-Iran conflict and praised the Pakistani diaspora in Norway for its contributions to various sectors.
The Norwegian minister’s visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. During his engagements with Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership, the two sides also discussed cooperation in trade, investment, technology, climate resilience, maritime affairs, skilled labour and security.
