Prime Minister Støre met with UK Prime Minister in Oslo

Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Oslo today to take part in the annual Joint Expeditionary Force Leaders’ Summit. The JEF is a security coalition comprising the Nordic countries, the Baltic countries, the Netherlands and the UK.

‘It is becoming increasingly important to maintain close contact with our key allies and partners. The UK is a vital partner for Norway and plays a crucial role in European security and defence, including with regard to Ukraine. UK leadership in this area is invaluable and is in Norway’s interest. We had a useful meeting where we discussed issues of importance to our two countries,’ said Prime Minister Støre.

Norway and the UK have a long-standing tradition of cooperation encompassing a wide range of areas, from research and education to energy, the environment, cultural exchange, defence and security.

In the area of defence, Norway is currently participating in the UK-led Carrier Strike Group. Joint participation in military operations and the signing of a green industrial partnership this week are concrete steps taken to follow up the strategic partnership signed by the two Prime Ministers in Bergen in December last year.

‘Norway attaches great importance to its broad-based, long-term cooperation with the UK. Ties between our two countries go back a very long way. The strategic partnership we recently signed in Bergen builds on existing successful collaboration and creates opportunities for even closer cooperation in areas such as energy, national security, research and higher education, and trade,’ said Mr Støre.