On Mar. 10, Mélanie Joly, Canada’s minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, issued a joint statement with Anniken Huitfeldt, Norway’s ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing the excellent relations that exist between both countries, and their dedication to global regulations and order.
The statement reinforced their commitment to values such as human rights, equal gender promotion, democracy, and the protection of minorities’ rights including those of Indigenous peoples. Both nations stressed their desire to support Ukraine’s people, territories, independence, and integrity in light of Russia’s inexcusable invasion, which violates international law.
On Mar. 14, Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, announced that during his visit to Norway as prime minister, he and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met in Oslo and shared their countries’ goals. They also reconfirmed both countries’ interest toward developmental sustainability, the longevity of the Paris agreement, Arctic security and defence, providing military support for Ukraine, industrial cooperation to help strengthen the supply chain, and fighting climate change in the Arctic.
A strong focus was placed on fostering durable and resilient transatlantic relations that can help provide security at a global and Arctic scale. They also stressed their dedication to free and fair trade in addition to the other commitments outlined by Joly and Huitfeldt. Both Prime Ministers confirmed their countries’ intent of abiding by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) structure to keep strengthening their Arctic security.
They also mentioned that they are open and welcoming of NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activity with the Arctic Sentry initiative, which began operating in February 2026 with the purpose of ensuring security for the Arctic and the High North. More cooperation related to security and the military was affirmation of their continuing support of Ukraine, by providing means of reconstruction, military aid, and by looking into implementing restrictions aimed at limiting Russia’s war funding through the Kremlin’s oil and energy exports.
Norway’s opportunity to join the Sovereign Technology Alliance, which seeks to strengthen the relations and cooperation for new technologies between the alliance’s members, was also discussed. Norway and Canada are both interested in using AI to maximize their capabilities and therefore mitigate technological reliance in key sectors. They also want to advance quantum technologies and develop AI in different key industries. A joint statement on Sovereign Technology and AI was issued by Evan Solomon, the Canadian Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, and Karianne Oldernes Tung, Norway’s Minister for Digitalisation and Public Governance. In the statement they confirmed their desire to explore the expansion of access to environmentally responsible AI, advocating for the integration of AI in the government and across different industries.
On Mar. 24, Joly and Norway’s Minister of Research and Higher Education, Sigrun Aasland, met in Ottawa to discuss areas in which joint research efforts could be further explored. They identified areas where research could be accelerated in quantum technologies through existing initiatives such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada and Norway’s quantum strategy. They also looked into increasing security and the training of the next Arctic explorer generation to conduct research in the Arctic, continuing scientific collaboration through Horizon Europe and Eureka, and conducting further research related to marine biology, oceanography, and hydrography.
Norway and Canada’s shared ambitions are helping to pave the way for strong transatlantic relations and cooperation, with both countries’ ministers welcoming further joint work and interest in keeping communications open.
“Recent global events underscore the need to invest in partnerships with close and trusted partners. We welcome the opportunity to increase and expand the cooperation between Canada and Norway in the years to come.”
