Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Oslo today. This is the first official visit to Norway by a Canadian Prime Minister in 46 years.

‘In these times of global instability, Norway must reinforce the foundation that underpins our security. We are stronger when we stand together with countries such as Canada – countries which are major economies and stable democracies with substantial resources and robust institutions. We will continue to work to strengthen the close cooperation between our two countries. This will also be of benefit to Norwegian business and industry,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norway and Canada, together with Ukraine, will host a Ministerial Conference in Toronto at the end of September to highlight the human suffering caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Norway and Canada stand together in supporting Ukraine.

‘Norway is seeking to further strengthen cooperation in key areas such as Arctic security, support to Ukraine, energy, economic security and climate as well as in industrial sectors such as critical minerals, space and artificial intelligence,’ said Mr Støre.

Norway and Canada will also explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation on sovereign technology and artificial intelligence. 

Norway and Canada have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost existing cooperation in the critical minerals sector. The agreement facilitates closer, more binding cooperation on minerals that are of vital importance to green industry and new technologies.

Mr Støre and Mr Carney visited the Cold Response military exercise in Bardufoss together with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday. On Saturday, Mr Støre and Mr Carney watched the 50km cross-country skiing race in Holmenkollen. Mr Støre will host a Nordic-Canadian summit in Oslo on Sunday. Prime Minster Carney and the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden will take part.

‘Norway and Canada have a close and constructive relationship that has developed over many years. As NATO Allies and Arctic nations, we share many fundamental values and security interests. Our two countries cooperate closely on Arctic issues, including research and management. We are major trading partners, and we have similar views on many issues of international importance,’ said Mr Støre.

Facts about Norway’s cooperation with Canada

  • Canada is a close partner to Norway with a strong commitment to defending shared values and fostering cooperation, including within the framework of NATO.
  • Cooperation between Norway and Canada has increased recently, and the two countries have many shared priorities, for example, relating to the Arctic, transatlantic cooperation, sustainability and Ukraine.
  • In 2023, Norway and Canada signed an agreement on military cooperation and cooperation between the two countries’ coastguards. In light of the growing global demand for critical minerals, Norway is now also seeking to strengthen its minerals cooperation with Canada.
  • Norway’s largest exports to Canada are crude oil, other oil products and seafood.
  • More than 50 Norwegian companies have established a presence in Canada in various sectors including the oil and ocean industries and the clean technology and critical minerals sectors. The Government Pension Fund Global, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, holds investments in 137 Canadian companies, with a combined value of NOK 710 billion.