Latvia and Norway are united by regional cooperation between the Baltic and Nordic countries, common values and challenges, as well as increasing cooperation in the fields of economics and defence. This was underlined by Prime Minister Evika Siliņa during her visit to Norway on 25 October.
The Prime Minister paid a working visit to Oslo, the capital city of Norway, to meet with the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støer, the First Vice President of the Norwegian Parliament, Svein Harberg, representatives of the Norwegian defence industry companies and several major current and potential Norwegian investors in Latvia.
During the meeting, the Prime Ministers of Latvia and Norway discussed the growing cooperation between the economic and defence industries of the two countries and their support to Ukraine. The officials also addressed the implementation of NATO's deterrence and defence policy, common security challenges, including Russia's aggression and the risks of hybrid threats. The Norwegian Prime Minister confirmed that Norway will join the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in Rīga.
"Latvia and Norway share common values and challenges. The Nordic-Baltic regional cooperation is increasingly important. Latvia and Norway will continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia's aggression. Latvia's experience in dealing with the hybrid threats posed by aggressor countries is valuable and useful for Norway. The similar challenges we face also mean opportunities for cooperation in addressing them. We will increasingly cooperate in developing the defence industry. Our economic ties are also growing stronger as more Norwegian companies choose to expand in Latvia or relocate their business here. We will strive to strengthen Latvian-Norwegian cooperation in both defence and economic areas."
E. Siliņa attended the Latvian-Norwegian Defence Industry Seminar in Oslo. The seminar brought together dozens of business people from both countries who met to discuss the opportunities for joint projects. The Prime Minister emphasised that there is a great potential for cooperation between Latvia and Norway in the field of defence industry. E. Siliņa also met with representatives of the Norwegian defence companies Nammo and Kongsberg Defence&Aerospace and exchanged views regarding the opportunities for cooperation and development of the military industry.
The Prime Minister met representatives of Linstow, DNB, Jets Vacuum and Reitan Retail (Narvesen and Caffeine) in Oslo. E. Siliņa underlined that her government aims to reduce the administrative burden to facilitate the implementation of business projects. The business representatives acknowledged the friendly environment for Norwegian companies in Latvia. They particularly appreciated Latvia's competitive corporate tax policy, the government's reforms in the field of education and the progress made in reducing bureaucracy. The entrepreneurs also commended the government's interest in their needs and addressing challenges together.
Norway is the eighth largest foreign investor in Latvia. More than 240 Norwegian companies are currently operating in Latvia. According to a survey conducted by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, 8 out of 10 biggest Norwegian companies already operating in Latvia are willing to expand here in the near future.
The Prime Minister concluded her visit by meeting representatives of the Latvian diaspora in Norway. Latvians from Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger attended the meeting.
