Norwegian foreign minister to visit typhoon-hit areas today

MANILA, Philippines - Discussion on Norway’s participation in the peace talks and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) is among the highlights of the visit of Norwegian Foreign Minister Brge Brende. Norway’s current role as third country facilitator for peace talks with the communist groups and its participation in the IMT in Mindanao will be discussed during the meeting between Brende and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles.

Brende is in the country for his first official visit from Jan. 7 to 9. Brende, who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 from Bangkok, will also visit ongoing rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.

“I am very grateful to visit the Philippines... there is a great collaboration between our two countries,” Brende said, adding it has been a while since a foreign minister from his country visited.

“I am also here to meet with your President and foreign minister to discuss building back better the areas that had been badly affected by the typhoon, but we were also looking at how to strengthen our relationship between our two countries and Norway has now contributed substantially in the rebuilding after the typhoon,” he said.

Brende was welcomed by Norwegian Ambassador Knut Solem, Philippine Ambassador to Norway Bayani Mercado and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario.

Brende said he would be visiting Tacloban today and some areas in the Visayas region that were devastated by Yolanda.

“I will see how the rebuilding is going and also which humanitarian organization is involved in this rebuilding and early recovery phase,” he said.

Aside from the reconstruction program, Brende is also expected to discuss trade prospects. The Philippines’ good economic performance has been noted as a positive factor for trade and investments opportunities.

Norway was the Philippines’ 61st export market in 2012 with Norwegian investments mostly in the maritime and power sectors. 

Norwegian ship owners employ more than 20,000 Filipino seafarers. Norway actively supports and provides technical assistance to the Philippines’ compliance with international maritime standards.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Norway were established in 1948. There are an estimated 17,400 Filipinos in Norway as of June 2013, working as nurses, nursing aides, caregivers, engineers and housekeepers.