Norway’s Prime Minister Støre in Berlin
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz received Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Berlin. “We value Norway as a reliable supplier of natural gas,” the Federal Chancellor stressed. In the future, he said, he would like to see an “even better, deeper and broader energy partnership with Norway”.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz received Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Berlin.
Photo: Presse- und Informationsamt der Bundesregierung
“Norway and Germany are close partners in the European Economic Area, and also allies in NATO. Our view of the world is very similar, and so is our approach.” With these words, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz paid tribute to relations between the two countries during the visit of Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to the Federal Chancellery in Berlin on Wednesday.
In international crises, Germany and Norway “rely on clear words where necessary and diplomacy wherever possible,” Scholz continued.
Energy: great potential for cooperation
The Federal Chancellor also talked about the importance of Norway as a partner in connection with energy and economic policy: “We value Norway as a reliable supplier of natural gas.”
Germany had set itself a “gigantic task” with its goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2045, said Scholz, adding that this was why he saw “great potential for future cooperation” and wanted to see “an even better, deeper and broader energy partnership with Norway”. The two countries would be able to work well together on issues such as the production of sustainable hydrogen.
The fight against the coronavirus pandemic remains a priority
In the area of security policy, the situation in and around Ukraine as well as further dealings with Russia were currently of particular concern, said the Federal Chancellor. He said he had recently spoken to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about these issues, too.
In addition to the worldwide fight against climate change and the pursuit of environmental protection and global health, the fight against the coronavirus pandemic was a priority for the governments of both countries, said Scholz, noting that they were collaborating closely and had launched important initiatives together. Here, Scholz cited the example of the international vaccine initiative Covax, where he said Norway was doing “outstanding work”.
Jonas Gahr Støre has been Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway since October 2021. The 61-year-old was on his inaugural visit to Federal Chancellor Scholz and was also received earlier by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace.