RIYADH: Kjersti Tromsdal, Norwegian ambassador to the Kingdom, on Thursday night confirmed her country’s determination to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Saudi Arabia by finding new ways of cooperation as Norway celebrated its National Day in Riyadh.

The mayor of Riyadh, Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, attended the National Day reception hosted at the Norwegian Embassy in the Diplomatic Quarter.

Speaking at the reception, Tromsdal said: “Today, we celebrate the signing of the Norwegian constitution on May 17th, 1814. In Norway, the National Day, or the Constitution Day, is huge — a day full of children parading with flags and happy cheers in the streets. It’s a day when we celebrate tradition, pride and unity.

“The bilateral relationship between Saudi Arabia and Norway goes back to 1961. The two kingdoms have proud histories and ambitious futures. For decades, we have had fruitful exchanges in the energy sector as major oil and gas producers. Saudi Arabia and Norway are also maritime nations with an interest in safeguarding the marine environment,” she said.

“Both our countries are committed to accelerating the green transition. There is a need to develop and scale up new technologies and find new ways of working. This is an area where we see an increased number of partnerships between Norwegian and Saudi companies,” she added.

Norwegian companies that contribute to the implementation of Vision 2030 are an important part of the solid bilateral relations between our two countries, Tromsdal said, adding that the small Norwegian community in the Kingdom is growing, and that she was happy to see an increasing number of Saudi citizens visiting Norway.

The ambassador said: “Our two countries are committed to a rules-based international order, and see the value of mediated solutions to conflict. Norway believes in dialogue and constructive engagement for conflict resolution and appreciates the important role Saudi Arabia is taking in the region, and beyond, today.

“We value very much the close cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the Global Alliance for the Implementation of a Two-State Solution and we commend the efforts of Saudi Arabia in finding a path to fulfilling the rights of the Palestinian people,” she added.

Norway is a country renowned for its crisp air, green mountains, deep blue fjords and clear water.

“Today, we invite you to have a taste of Norway. And we know Saudis love Norwegian salmon. Together with the Norwegian Seafood Council and our sponsors we have brought high-quality Norwegian seafood to Riyadh. Our renowned chef Daniel and his assistants have travelled all the way from Norway to prepare the dishes for us. Our history as a seafood nation stems back to long before the Viking era with fishing, catching and trading of seafood,” the ambassador said.

Norway today, she said, is the world’s largest exporter of seafood, despite being a small country with a smaller population than Riyadh city.

Norway’s natural resources combined with one of the world’s longest coastlines, are the reasons for its lengthy traditions and practices in the seafood industry.

Atlantic salmon farming was “invented” in Norway 60 years ago and is today the world leader in salmon farming and aquaculture technology, she added.

“I am also glad to see many Norwegian companies and their Saudi partners here. Jotun, who celebrate 40 years in the Kingdom this year; Hydro Technal; DNV; Interwell; Corporater; Bravo Seafood; Norsk Sjomat; Pelagia; Arabian Fisheries; Tine; and Eira Water; and not least, our partnership with the Norwegian Seafood Council.”

The ambassador thanked her colleagues at the embassy with the words: “This is my first national day as ambassador in Riyadh, and I am so grateful to be here and to be part of this fabulous team.”