President Costa to travel to Oslo on 19 February 2026 11:00 The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Oslo this week for high-level meetings. The[...]

The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Oslo this week for high-level meetings. The visit marks the strong momentum of the bilateral relations with Norway, one of the closest and most likeminded partners for the European Union.

President Costa will have an audience with HRH The Crown Prince Regent in the morning of 19 February.

Afterwards, the President will meet the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre. The meeting will be followed by a joint press conference. Their discussion is expected to focus on the EU-Norway bilateral relationship, defence cooperation and support for Ukraine.

Programme and press opportunities

The joint press conference by President Costa and Prime Minister Støre is planned at around 13:15.

In the afternoon, President Costa will visit the National CBNRE Centre of Medicine at the Oslo University Hospital, specialised in managing medical incidents involving highly contagious diseases. Oslo University Hospital plays a key role in Norway's support for Ukraine by treating hundreds of patients evacuated due to the war. As a major trauma centre, it provides specialised care for war injuries.

President Costa will also visit the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) in Kjeller outside Oslo. FFI has been a key player in supporting and enhancing Norway's defence capabilities through cutting-edge research and innovation. FFI has participated in collaborative defence research and development under the European Defence Fund (EDF), receiving EU financial support.

Background

Norway participates fully in the EU single market through the European Economic Area agreement and Schengen. Norway is also one of the closest partners of the Union in security and defence, with NATO membership forming the cornerstone of its own defence policy. It was the second country to sign a Security and defence partnership with the Union (at the occasion of the May 2024 EEA Council), committing to further strengthening long-term support for Ukraine and to further expanding their security cooperation including in maritime, space, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, among other areas. As an EEA/EFTA member, Norway has been involved in EU defence industrial programmes since the first such programme (the EDIDP) entered into force in 2018.

• Security and defence partnerships (background information)