The foreign relations of Norway are based on the country's membership in NATO and within the workings of the United Nations (UN).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established on the same day that Norway declared the dissolution of the union with Sweden: June 7, 1905.
Although diplomats could not present credentials to foreign governments until the Swedish king formally renounced his right to the Norwegian throne, a number of unofficial representatives worked on the provisional government's behalf until the first Norwegian ambassador, Hjalmar Christian Hauge, sought accreditation by the United States Secretary of State Elihu Root on November 6, 1905.
The initial purposes of the newly formed Foreign Ministry were to represent Norway's interests through diplomatic channels, and to provide consular services for Norwegian shipping and commerce overseas.
During World War I, the foreign ministry was confronted with unprecedented challenges in maintaining neutrality for Norway, in particular in order to protect its merchant fleet.
When Norway was invaded by Nazi Germany in 1940, the government fled to the United Kingdom and reconstituted in exile in Bracknell, outside London.
After the end of World War II, Norway was a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the United Nations, the latter having Norwegian Trygve Lie as inaugural Secretary-General.
Norway became a founding member of NATO in order to ally itself with countries that shared its democratic values.
Accordingly, the cornerstones of Norwegian policy are active membership in NATO and support for the United Nations and its specialized agencies.
Norway also has a history of co-operation and friendship with the United Kingdom and Scotland, due to their shared cultural heritage since Viking times.
The Norwegian embassy to the United Kingdom is located in London, and Norway also maintains a Consulate General in Edinburgh.
A Norway Spruce is given by the city of Oslo and presented to London as a Christmas tree for display in Trafalgar Square as a token of gratitude for the UK's support during World War II.
King Haakon, his son Crown Prince Olav and the country's government lived in exile in London throughout the war.
On 25 April 2022, Norwegian foreign minister visited Bangladesh as part of her two-day trip in order to broaden economic partnership through trade, investment and maritime sector cooperation.
The late foreign minister Johan Jørgen Holst was instrumental in forging the Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO.
Finance ministry spokesman, Runar Malkenes, told BBC News that "there are no moves to push for a boycott of Israeli goods" at government level.
[7] As of recent, Ethiopia expelled six Norwegian diplomats due to Norway's alleged support to 'Terrorist group and Eritrea'.
The Norwegian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team had the mission of effecting security, good governance and economic development, 2005–2012.
[9] Territorial claims in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and Peter I Island) are only recognized by Australia, France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Norway thus becomes the fourth European country to take similar steps, following Spain, France and Portugal.
In March 2012 the Norwegian Foreign Ministry announced that the Norwegian embassy in Damascus will be temporarily closed, mainly due to the deteriorating security situation in the country, however Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also emphasized the closing being a political signal.
"[79] In 2008 Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre traveled to Cyprus to meet President Demetris Christofias.
By 2008 changes to the tonnage tax regime to harmonize them with the European Union forced some companies to register in Cyprus.
In case of a military conflict it is still NATO and the United States Government that will carry the main responsibility for Iceland's defense.
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[123] Council of Europe, the International Criminal Court, Joint Expeditionary Force, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization.
[127] Reidar Sveaas, director of P&O Maritime Ltd. and honorary consul to Auckland said in 2000 that excellent opportunities existed for New Zealand to trade with the world's second largest oil-producing country, Norway.
[128] New Zealand joined 11 other countries in 2006 in delivering a formal diplomatic protest to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry in Oslo over Norway's plans to increase its whaling activities.