Having gained its independence from England and Denmark, Norway adopted its first constitution on May 17, 1814. The 1814 Constitution is still in force. May 17 is now the National Day of Norway.
The Kingdom of Norway recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on January 2, 1992. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on June 5, 1992. The embassy of the Kingdom of Norway to Azerbaijan was opened on July 22, 1998 (http://www.mfa.gov.az/).
Cooperation between the two countries has been expanding since the beginning of 1990s, when Statoil of Norway started its activity in Azerbaijan.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev paid an official visit to Norway on April 24-25, 1996. During his visit he exchanged views with the Norwegian king Harald V, Prime Minister G.Brundtland, President of the Norwegian Parliament K.Grondahl, Minister of Foreign Affairs B.Godol, Minister of Energy and Industry K.Stoltenberg on the development of relations between the countries. Contracts on taxes and investments were signed during that visit.
An official reception on the 186th anniversary of the Constitution of Norway was held in Baku on May 17, 2000. Delivering a speech at the reception, the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev noted that the Norwegian companies can compete with other foreign companies in Azerbaijan and that loyalty to democracy, market economy, universal values is tying the two countries.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met the Prime Minister of Norway K.M.Bondevik during the thrid summit of the member-countries of the Euroean Council held in Warsaw on May 16, 2005. The parties expressed their satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations and cooperation, as well as the successful activity of Statoil in Azerbaijan. Calling Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline a historic event, Kjell Magne Bondevik appreciated it as one of the biggest projects in the world. Ilham Aliyev emphasized the existence of opportunities for developing the relations not only in energy sector, but the other fields of economy as well.
Norway supports the solution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh according to the norms of the international law and the principle of the territorial integrity of countries.
Norway is one of the economic partners of Azerbaijan. Statoil is the second biggest investor after bp in Azerbaijan.
The humanitarian relations between the countries are developing. Since 1994 a Norwegian humanitarian entity, the main mission of which is the restoration of historical monuments, historical Albanian temples, has been working in Azerbaijan. On March 12, 2007 a school built by the Norwegian government in Gadabay was opened.
On June 5, 2007 President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the delegation headed by Anita Utset, State Secretary, Deputy Petroleum and Energy Minister of Norway in the Presidential Palace. It was emphasized during the meeting that the mutual beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and Norway in the field of energy is being established and that there is a confidence that this cooperation will be developed further.
On April 29, 2008, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Jonas Gahr Store. During the meeting they exchanged of views on the further development of the bilateral relations was led; it was also noted that the delegation had had fruitful meetings in Azerbaijan
On June 2, 2008, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the delegation headed by Liv Monica Stubholt, State Secretary, Deputy Petroleum and Energy Minister of Norway. Liv Monica Stubholt emphasized that Azerbaijan is regionally and economic potentially a very important country.
Another purpose of the visit of the guests was participation at the 15th International Caspian oil and gas exhibition to be held in Baku. The guest underlined that the exhibition had become a significant event in the global oil industry. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his satisfaction with the interest of the world community to the International Caspian oil and gas exhibition.
On June 2, 2009 President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the delegation headed by Robin Martin Kass, State Secretary, Deputy Petroleum and Energy Minister of Norway. During the meeting the special importance of the Caspian oil and gas exhibition not only for Azerbaijan, but for the global energy field was underlined; the parties expressed their confidence in the expansion of the energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Norway.
Nine documents have been signed between Azerbaijan and Norway up to now:
1. Memorandum on cooperation between the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Industry and Energy of Norway in the field of energy. Baku, November 21, 1994.
2. Memorandum on cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Research Council of Norway in scientific field. Baku, November 22, 1994.
3. Joint Declaration between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Norway. Oslo, April 24, 1996.
4. Convention between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Norway on avoiding double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion in respect to taxes on income and capital. Oslo, April 24, 1996.
5. Protocol on the implementation of Memorandum between the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ministry of Industry and Energy of Norway in the field of energy (signed on November 21, 1994 in Baku). Oslo, April 24, 1996.
6. Protocol between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Norway on support of investments and mutual defense. Baku, September 25, 1996.
7. Protocol between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway on cooperation. Oslo, February 23, 2000. Confirmed by Decree 476 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (July 15, 2000).
8. Treaty between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway on training the Azerbaijani diplomats. Baku, October 31, 2007.
9. Joint Declaration between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Norway on the future development of friendly relations and cooperation. Oslo, December 4, 2007.
General historical reference is last updated on October 1, 2009.