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Canada and Norway strengthen cooperation
Enhanced Canadian-Norwegian cooperation is being rolled out in new areas following Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney's (Liberal) visit to Norway in mid-March.
Now the countries are aiming for increased cooperation in the field of research, not least when it comes to Arctic research.
This is stated in a new joint statement, launched in connection with the visit of the Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education Sigrun Aasland (Labour) to Canada this week.
"We live in turbulent times and Canada is among our most important allies. Quantum technology, AI and Arctic research are crucial for both security and competitiveness, and are areas where we want even closer cooperation with Canada", says Aasland.
Germany's Chancellor to Cold Response
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit Norway on Friday, March 13, at the invitation of Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. This is Merz's first official visit to Norway.
"In a time of great international uncertainty, I look forward to welcoming our most important partner in Europe. Norway and Germany have a close and close cooperation economically, in security policy, militarily and in a number of other areas," says Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre according to a press release.
On the agenda are both space travel and the military exercise Cold Response. Støre and Merz will meet to discuss, among other things, defense and security cooperation, the situation in Ukraine, and space cooperation.
Easier to Become Dairy Farmer in Northern Norway
The Norwegian government considers recruitment to agriculture to be important for both self-sufficiency and total preparedness in Norway. It will now be easier to become a milk producer in the Arctic regions of Troms and Finnmark.
"The recruitment quota is intended to make it easier for new milk producers to establish themselves. The aim of the scheme is to strengthen recruitment and new establishment in milk production in the two northernmost counties", says Minister of Agriculture and Food Nils Kristen Sandtrøen.
The Directorate of Agriculture can offer to purchase quotas to applicants who plan to establish themselves as milk producers. Quotas can be used after an approved application and payment. The scheme is aimed at those who have not owned or rented quota in the last three years. Applicants who are 35 years of age or younger will be given priority, but anyone who meets the conditions can apply. The recruitment quota has been established as a follow-up to the 2025 agricultural settlement.
Briefly about the scheme:
The state offers up to four million liters of basic quota.
Price: One NOK per liter.
Up to 700,000 liters can be applied for per applicant.
Norway to strengthen trade with Canada
"Norway and Canada have a close relationship and have much in common. In a time of increasing geopolitical unrest, it is important to strengthen trade policy cooperation. Canada offers good opportunities for Norwegian companies, and Norway is also an attractive country for Canadian investments. Closer trade cooperation will be good for both countries," says the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth in a press release.
Norway and the three other EFTA countries, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, have a trade agreement with Canada. The agreement dates from 2008 and mainly covers trade in industrial goods, fish and seafood.
"Norway believes it is time to modernize and update the free trade agreement between the EFTA countries and Canada. We believe the agreement should be expanded to also apply to trade in services, business establishment and public procurement, among other things. It is positive that the EFTA countries and Canada are planning a meeting during the first half of 2026 for further negotiations on this," says Myrseth.
Canadian speaker visits the Norwegian parliament: Focus on cooperation in the North
On Wednesday, a delegation from the Canadian parliament, led by Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia, visited Norway.
This was reported by the Norwegian parliament, which is hosting the visit.
The Canadian delegation's agenda includes a number of political meetings, such as with the parliament president (speaker), as well as members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence and the delegation for Arctic parliamentarian cooperation.
"Canada and Norway share democratic values, have historical ties and are close allies. Our relationship becomes increasingly important in these uncertain times. As Arctic coastal states, we see the need for closer cooperation in the North," says the Norwegian parliament president Masud Gharahkhani (Labor).
Increased cod fishery in the Norwegian north last week
The Norwegian coastal boats' seasonal cod (skrei) fishing reached a preliminary peak this year last week, reports Norges Råfisklag is a Norwegian sales organization.
During the week, about 6,600 tons were delivered at a value of NOK 438 million.
The Sales Association reports that fishing has also moved south along the coast, with increased deliveries in Troms, Vesterålen and Lofoten.
Several boats have also finished with this year's cod quota.
Arctic football team Bodø/Glimt to meet Sporting in Round of 16
Bodø/Glimt is to meet the portuguese team Sporting in the Champions League Round of 16.
The first game in the Round of 16 will be played at Aspmyra Stadium in Bodø on the 11th of March. The second match is to be played in Lisboa on March 17th.