King Filip's younger sister, Princess Astrid is in Norway leading an economic mission to the country. The 450-strong delegation made up of captains of industry, academics and politicians arrived in Norway on Sunday and will remain their until tomorrow (Wednesday).
This economic mission is one of two such missions organised by Belgium each year. The central themes of the mission are energy transition, the circular economy, life sciences and design. The Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (Francophone liberal) emphasised the "close and long-standing ties of friendship" between Belgium and Norway.
Although Norway is not Belgium's biggest trading partner, Mr Lahbib pointed to an increase in cooperation between Belgium and Norway in recent years and also looked towards prospects for further cooperation in the future.
The value of Belgian exports to Norway rose from 1.7 billion euro in 2019 to 4.8 billion euro in 2023. Meanwhile, the value of imports from Norway into Belgium has varied considerably due to fluctuations in energy prices. Oil and gas account for more than 90% of imports from Norway. A gas pipeline links Norway to Zeebrugge (West Flanders).
In addition to Ms Lahbib, the outgoing federal government is represented on the mission by Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Flemish green) and the minister with responsibility for the North Sea Paul Van Tigchelt (Flemish liberal).
The outgoing Flemish government is represented by the outgoing Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon (nationalist), while outgoing Secretary of State Ans Persoons (Flemish socialist) is representing the government of the Brussels-Capital Region.