RP opens embassy in Oslo, Norway

Diplomatic and trade relations between the Philippines and Norway are expected to improve with the opening of a resident embassy of the Philippines in Oslo. The Department of Foreign Affairs reported on Wednesday the embassy’s temporary home at Suite 1011 of the Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel (Holbergsgate 30, N-0166 Oslo, Norway) with Second Secretary and Consul Porfirio M. Mayo and finance officer Anna Marie Caraig assuming their posts in the Norwegian capital. The Embassy can be reached through the Radisson switchboard number 0047-23293000. The newly-opened Embassy in Oslo is the Philippines’ 86th Foreign Service post. The DFA said Ambassador Victoria S. Bataclan will man the post by the end of May. She was the country’s ambassador to Sweden. There are 14,600 Filipinos working and living in Norway (first- and second-generation immigrants and OFWs), in addition to some 18,000 Filipino seafarers on board Norwegian vessels. Around 7,000 Norwegian tourists visit the Philippines annually. “There is good reason to be optimistic that, with adequate information dissemination, the number of Norwegian visitors, noted for their high purchasing power, would increase even more," the DFA said in a statement. Opening the Philippine Embassy in Norway became a priority concern of the DFA for various reasons: Philippines-Norway diplomatic relations span nearly 60 years of meaningful interaction, and Norway is a recognized leader in the area of conflict resolution and has played a substantive role as third-country facilitator in the GRP-NDF peace talks since 2001. On the economic front, prospects are good for Philippine agricultural products, of which Norway is a net importer, as well as information technology goods and services. The same can be said for potential Norwegian investments in the Philippines, particularly in oil and natural gas exploration and equities, the DFA said. There is also room for further cooperation in the maritime sector, particularly marine resources management, marine environmental protection and maritime safety. Consul Mayo’s first official act as charge d’affaires was to extend notarial services to Mrs. Leonor Vintervoll on 30 April 2007. Full consular services, including passport and visa issuance, will be made available in due course. - GMANews.TV