The Chamber opens it doors to H.E Vegar Brynildsen, Norwegian Ambassador to France

On September 1st, Norway sent its new Ambassador to France, H.E. Vegar Brynildsen. As he takes up his duties in Paris, the French-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (CCFN) is delighted to give him the opportunity to present himself to our members and partners. This interview highlights his vision for Franco-Norwegian relations, his perspective on the recent state visit of President Emmanuel Macron to Oslo, and the priorities he sees for the years ahead.

Ambassador, you have just taken up your post in Paris at the beginning of September. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and share the key priorities you bring to this new role? 

I recently arrived in Paris from Oslo, where I served as deputy Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. My last posting abroad was as ambassador to Mali and the other G5 Sahel countries from 2020 to 2022, an interesting and challenging posting; but also very rewarding. France is a country I have a deep personal and professional connection to, having studied here several times and having served two times previously at the embassy in Paris. So, I am grateful for this opportunity to serve as Norwegian ambassador to France. 

The geopolitical situation at the outset of my tenure is challenging. In this context, the European and Euroatlantic unity is crucial. Norway and France are close and longstanding allies and there is also a solid foundation for deepening bilateral cooperation. Besides working on our shared commitment to European security and defense, one of my foremost priorities will be to strengthen and expand bilateral trade and commercial relations. 

The significance of our trade and economic relations is clear: France ranks as Norway’s fifth largest export destination globally. Over 100 Norwegian companies are active in the French market, reflecting the depth of our commercial engagement.  

We are witnessing a growing collaboration in emerging technologies that support the green transition and decarbonization. I also notice a remarkable increase in business promotion activities between Norway and France since my last tenure at the embassy more than a decade ago. This is also fully aligned with the Norwegian government's strategic ambition, together with the business community, to increase exports outside the oil and gas industry in the coming years. At the same time, Norwegian natural gas remains a vital component of energy security for both France and Europe.  

My mission, that I share with my colleague the French Ambassador to Norway, Florence Robine, will be to realize the ambitions set out in the new strategic partnership signed by Prime Minister Støre and President Macron in June. This will require a close collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and the rest of Team Norway, notably Innovation Norway, Norwep and the Norwegian Seafood Council.  

President Macron’s state visit to Oslo in June, and the signing of the new bilateral strategic partnership, marked an important milestone in Franco-Norwegian relations. How do you assess the significance of this visit and agreement? 

President Macron’s visit to Oslo, coupled with the signing of a new strategic partnership, represents a significant strengthening of our bilateral cooperation. As stated by our Prime Minister during the visit: the bilateral ties between Norway and France have never been stronger.  

The strategic partnership outlines key areas of collaboration that we are now working to operationalize. These include defense and security, preparedness, green industries, technological innovation, CCS, cultural exchange, education, the blue economy, and climate action, among others. These initiatives seek to enhance our competitiveness and contribute to a greater European strategic autonomy, a priority for both France and Norway. 

One highlight of the visit was the joint business roundtable on industrial decarbonization, chaired by President Macron and Prime Minister Støre. This provided a strong platform for advancing industrial collaboration and innovation in support of climate goals.  

In addition to the strategic partnership, a new agreement was signed on cross-border transportation of CO₂ paving the way for the storage of CO₂ from French industries on the Norwegian continental shelf. This is a concrete step toward scaling up commercial cooperation on CCS.  

Another fruit of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Innovation Norway, Business France, and the CCFN, which seek to strengthen ties between French and Norwegian companies and to increase industrial and technological cooperation and reciprocal investments. 

Which sectors or themes should be at the top of the agenda to further strengthen cooperation between Norway and France? 

I have been ambassador to France since the end of August, so I would start by saying that I am in “listening mode” – eager to hear and listen to the stakeholders in the business community themselves. Having said that, building on both the strategic partnership, the partnership on green industrial transformation and the Team Norway strategy, the priority sectors include CCS, renewable energy, and critical raw materials. The green maritime industry also presents significant opportunities, with Norway’s advanced capabilities offering valuable contributions to joint innovation and sustainable shipping solutions. Another prioritized maritime sector is of course seafood, and France – renowned for its gastronomy – is actually the world’s second largest consumer market for seafood from Norway.

For renewables, both countries have set ambitious goals for offshore wind development, and while certain challenges persist, the long-term potential for collaboration in this sector remains strong. Artificial Intelligence is also emerging as a key area of interest, particularly in light of France’s efforts to position itself as a European leader through initiatives such as the Paris AI Summit. The health sector also stands out, given the high level of expertise and innovation in both countries. For the defence industry, there is also opportunities for increased cooperation in light of the geopolitical situation and focus on European defence. Thus, the list is long and very diverse. However, I want to stress that I am ready to work in all sectors where there is potential to get things done. 

How do you see the role of the French-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (CCFN) in supporting the “Team Norway” strategy in France?

We are very fortunate to have such a dynamic French-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce as part of the Team Norway cooperation in France. Together with our other Team Norway partners, we work closely on a shared strategy to promote and position Norwegian businesses in the French market. In my view, the CCFN plays a crucial role in these efforts - not only by connecting businesses and identifying new opportunities, but also by organizing and supporting a wide range of Team Norway activities in France. I am impressed by what I have heard about their knowledge of both the French and Norwegian markets, as well as their strong collaboration with the network of French chambers of commerce, which opens important doors for Norwegian companies.

Their dual role as a bilateral chamber and as the official representative of Business France in Norway is also a significant asset, helping to coordinate activities for Team France in Norway and strengthening our bilateral ties. The committees on for instance energy and defence also bring together key actors among its 150 members, creating valuable arenas for dialogue and collaboration.  

What message do you have for French and Norwegian companies looking to engage more closely in bilateral projects ?

I would also encourage companies to seize the opportunities in the political partnerships already signed. These outline the sectors where Norway and France share common interests. Together with Team Norway, the Embassy is mobilized to support businesses with an interest for the French market. On the websites of the Chamber of Commerce and Business Norway you can also find a varied program for business delegations and other business activities, and we already have a busy fall. Another major event will be the annual Green Industry Forum arranged by Team Norway and Team France, gathering French and Norwegian companies working on different aspects of the green transition. We expect the next version to take place March next year. 

Apart from that, I also look forward to participating in this year’s – and my first – French-Norwegian Day on October 22 in Oslo, and hope to see many of you there.