FCO Minister for Europe visits Oslo
Mr Lidington meets the new Norwegian Government to discuss EU, energy, security and foreign policy.
The FCO Minister for Europe, David Lidington, visited Oslo on 30-31 October for meetings with the new Norwegian Government, business leaders and think tanks, discussing bilateral cooperation and a range of EU issues.
In meetings with Norway’s new Europe Minister Vidar Helgesen, and State Secretaries from the Foreign Affairs, Finance, Trade and Justice ministries, Mr Lidington discussed Norway’s priorities for the EU, energy, security and foreign policy, and set out the UK’s arguments for a more competitive, flexible and democratically accountable EU. Talks also covered NATO and security cooperation.
On the competitiveness agenda, Mr Lidington highlighted the UK Business Taskforce’s recommendations for cutting EU red tape, and heard Norwegian businesses’ views from Kristin Skogen Lund, Director General at the Confederation of Nowegian Enterprise (NHO). The Minister also gave an interview to the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) for their premier foreign affairs programme, explaining UK views on European reform.