Egypt-Norway relations go back to 13th century: Ambassador on National Day

Marwa Tawfik, Thursday 18 May 2023

Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Klemetsdal said that Egyptian-Norwegian relations date back to the 13th century, when King Haakon IV Haakonsson (1217-1263) of Norway decided to send an ambassador to Cairo along with gifts to the Egyptian Sultan, which were trained hunting falcons.

Norway Ambassador on National Day


Klemetsdal added that the relationship between the two countries has developed over the past years to include cooperation in the field of renewable energy.

The two sides signed a number of agreements recently to establish new and pioneering projects in the field of clean energy, because of Egypt’s enormous natural resources, whether in solar or wind energy, which qualifies it to be a regional hub for green energy.

This came during a celebration held by the Embassy of Norway in Cairo on the occasion of Constitution Day.

Constitution Day, or Norwegian National Day, is recognized yearly on 17 May and is an official holiday that is celebrated with children's parades.

Rami Atalah's Egyptian musical band gave a thrilling performance, and the ambassador was keen to wear the national uniform of her country.

At the end of the ceremony, the guests were also given gifts consisting of a pin bearing the flags of Egypt and Norway together as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.

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