Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Oslo on Wednesday, reaffirming the country's support for a genuine two-state solution, reported Xinhua.
In a statement issued by the Norwegian government, Store said he was "deeply concerned" about developments in Palestine.
While the second phase of a peace plan is now supposed to be underway, the statement noted that the situation in Gaza remains extremely severe for around two million residents, with insufficient goods and emergency aid entering the territory and about 80 percent of buildings destroyed or left in ruins.
Store said Norway expects an end to hostilities and occupation and a lasting political solution in which Palestine and Israel can live side by side in peace and security, adding that a genuine two-state solution is important for regional stability in the Middle East and for Europe's security.
The statement also described the situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as serious, citing settler violence, settlement expansion, Israeli military operations, home demolitions, and extensive movement restrictions.
Eide said Norway, together with like-minded countries, will continue to work for a two-state solution and counter forces pushing developments in a negative direction.
According to the statement, this was Abbas's first visit to the Nordic country since Norway officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024. In 2025, Norway provided 2.1 billion Norwegian kroner (221 million U.S. dollars) in support of Palestine.
- Norway
- 2-state solution
- Palestaine
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
