TNAG-2050-FCO40-2920-Visits-by-Lord-Caithness--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and--1990 — Page 147

14. The UK is easily Norway's largest export market, accounting for some 27% of Norway's total exports in 1989.

Two thirds of Norway's exports to the UK (total £3.6 bn in 1989) are oil and gas and it is largely due to this that the balance of trade is heavily in Norway's favour. Norway ranks eighteenth in the UK's export league although we remain their third largest supplier behind Sweden and the

FRG. Capital goods for Norway's offshore industry make up the bulk of British exports.

15.

The Syse

Norway is a committed member of NATO.

Government is strong on NATO although anti nuclear sentiments within the opposition Labour Party can complicate Norway's approach to some Alliance views.

1989

16.

The Queen made a State Visit to Norway in 1981. The Prime Minister visited Norway in September 1986; she had

talks with the then Prime Minister Mrs Brundtland and an

audience with HM King Olav V. Mrs Brundtland called on the

Prime Minister in London in 1987. King Olav made a State Visit to the UK in April 1988 Sir Geoffrey Howe held discussions with the then Norwegian Foreign Minister,

Mr Stoltenberg, during the Visit. Mrs Chalker visited Oslo

in October 1988 and State Secretary Helga Hernes came to London in May. Foreign Minister Bondevik called on Mr Hurd

on 7 November, and they met again at an Anglo-Norwegian Conference held at Balliol College Oxford in January 1990. Prime Minister Syse had talks in London with Mrs Thatcher on

23 March 1990. Mr Maude visited Norway as Minister of State

Mr Moynihan visited Stavangar 27-29 August

Deputy Foreign Minister Skauze had talks in London with Mr Waldegrave on 15 October 1990. Bilateral talks at

Political Director level are scheduled for 12 November in

London.

: ' ' ** —

6-8 June 1990.

1990.

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