Norway–Philippines relations

History

Formal relations between Norway and the Philippines was established in March 2, 1948. Nikolai Aal was the first diplomat to represent Norway in the Philippines who served as a non-resident ambassador based in Nanking, China. Norway was represented by a Consulate, later upgraded as a Consulate General, in Manila from 1952 to 1956. A Norwegian embassy was established in 1967.

Until 1986, the Philippine embassy in London had jurisdiction over Norway. In June 1986 responsibility over the bilateral ties was transferred to the Philippine embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. The Philippines later established an embassy in Oslo, Norway on April 30, 2007.

Security ties

Norway is involved in the peace process in the Philippines relating to the Moro and Communist insurgencies. Norway is a member country of the International Monitoring Team for the GPH-MILF Peace Process. Norway is also the third country facilitator for the GPH-CPP-NPA-NDF Peace Process.

Trade relations

During a bilateral meeting between Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and President Benigno Aquino III in Vientiane, Laos, Stoltenberg said that the opening of the Arctic may lead to the possibility of Norway opening trade routes with the Philippines to import products such as mangoes and bananas from the Asian country.

Total trade between Norway and the Philippines amounted to 73 million USD in 2011.

Labor relations

As of 2012, there are around 17,500 Filipino seafarers employed in several Norwegian-owned and operated vessels. During a bilateral meeting between Norwegian Prime Minister Stoltenberg and President Aquino in Vientiane, Laos, Stoltenberg stated the possibility of facilitating the entry of Filipino medical workers and other highly skilled professional in Norway.

Norwegians in the Philippines

There are about 3,000 Norwegians in the Philippines, either engaged in business, involved in charitable work or residing in the country with their families.