Erna Solberg and Theresa May promise to build on the long-standing friendship between Britain and Norway.
‘’Norway is an old and reliable ally of Britain. We have collaborated on so many different levels and we will continue to do so in future,’’ assured Theresa May when she received Solberg in the prime minister’s house at 10 Downing Street.
The two prime ministers have previously spoken together, both on the phone and on the sidelines of international meetings. But this is their first full-fledged bilateral meeting since May became prime minister two years ago.
Broad agenda
A number of themes featured on the agenda of the meeting, such as Brexit, trade,a nuclear agreement with Iran, security and defence cooperation, energy and exploitation of resources in the sea.
Norway and the United Kingdom have a “very good and warm relationship” that needs to be further developed, May said.
“We appreciate this relationship very highly’’, said Solberg.
She nevertheless gave a reminder of the serious context to the meeting, the great uncertainty about the British divorce from the EU, difficult trade conflicts with the United States and increasing threats to European ‘security.’
“I think there are too many changes for most of us now. There is too much uncertainty. Some of our fundamental values are threatened, as is the rule of law,’’ Solberg said.
Then the press were shown the door. May remained silent when a journalist shouted a question entirely off the cuff.
“They always try,” Solberg said dryly.
May will come to Norway
Half an hour later, Solberg came out again. It was a very nice meeting, Solberg summed up.
Solberg said that May had agreed to come to Norway in late October. A meeting will therefore be held at Nordic Future Forum where the plans are for the Heads of State and Government in all the Nordic and Baltic countries to participate.
The meeting has already been postponed several times because it has been difficult to find good dates, according to Solberg.
“We just hope nothing will happen this time,” she said.
© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today
