Official visit to Germany

Germany is one of Norway’s most important partners in Europe. The two countries cooperate closely in a wide variety of fields. Germany is among Norway’s largest trading partners, and is a crucial ally in efforts to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Defence cooperation was one of the items on the programme in Munich. Crown Prince Haakon attended the opening of the Norwegian-German Business Summit, a conference highlighting the two countries’ “­strong partnership within the defence industry” that was attended by representatives of the Norwegian and German business and defence industries.

The main topic of discussion at the conference was Norwegian-German cooperation on defence-related equipment and the defence industry, and the role this can play in strengthening the defence capability of NATO, Germany and Norway.

The Crown Prince spoke at the opening of a conference in Munich on Norwegian-German cooperation on defence-related equipment and the defence industry. The conference was organised by the Norwegian Defence and Security Industries Association (FSi) and Innovation Norway. Photo: Simen Løvberg Sund, The Royal Court

The Crown Prince spoke at the opening session of the conference, after which a high-level panel discussed defence and security policy cooperation between the two countries. In his remarks, the Crown Prince underscored the importance of working together within the defence sector: 

“Today’s conference on the defence industry is, unfortunately, more relevant than we had hoped for. We gather here in Munich in deep concern for the human suffering in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Against this backdrop, we must stand together to protect our values, human rights and the rule of law that we build our societies on.” 

The Crown Prince’s speech at the conference

Germany is an important partner in European defence cooperation. For decades Norway has been a customer of Germany’s defence industry, purchasing a wide range of equipment as tanks, submarines and other military vehicles.

After the opening of the conference, the Crown Prince visited the tank manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann+NEXTER Defense Systems (KNDS). There the Crown Prince was provided with additional information on Norwegian-German industrial cooperation in the defence sector and viewed a demonstration of the Leopard 2 tank.

The Crown Prince attended a demonstration of Norwegian-German cooperation on defence-related equipment and the defence industry during the visit to Munich. Photo: Simen Løvberg Sund, The Royal Court

Book industry gathering  

In the next part of the programme in Munich, the Norwegian and German publishing industries were brought together for a trade event and author forum at the city’s House of Literature. The gathering was organised by Norwegian Literature Abroad (NORLA) in collaboration with the German Publishers and Booksellers Association. 

During the event Norway was introduced as Guest of Honour for the 2025 Leipzig Book Fair. The Leipzig Book Fair is a public event featuring more than 2 000 exhibitors from 40 countries. It is held concurrently with Leipzig Reads, a citywide festival that showcases authors. In 2019, Norway was Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair as a result of an initiative launched by the Norwegian book industry under the leadership of NORLA. Promoting new literary voices is a key goal of participating in such fairs.

Book discussion with the Norwegian authors Maja Lune and Dag O. Hessen, moderated by the German literary authority Thomas Böhm. Photo: Simen Løvberg Sund, The Royal Court

The Crown Prince attended a book discussion with the Norwegian authors Maja Lunde and Dag O. Hessen. The conversation touched on issues relating to the natural environment and climate. Lunde’s novel The History of Bees was the top-selling book in Germany in 2017 while Dag O. Hessen is an award-winning communicator and scientist focused on biology and the environment.

“In times of conflict – between countries, people, ideas – literature can represent a different, more powerful kind of communication between us. These are some of the reasons why culture in general – and literature in particular – is so important,” the Crown Prince said to participants at the House of Literature event. 

Crown Prince’s remarks during the literature event 

Dinner

On Monday evening, the Crown Prince attended a dinner at the Munich Residence, a former palace where guests of the Bavarian state government often enjoy hospitality.

Norwegian and German political, business and cultural representatives were among those invited to the dinner. Bavaria is a hub of activity for Norwegian interests in Germany. Norwegian Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram was also one of the dinner guests.

“The programme for our visit here in Bayern is diverse – and reflects the time we live in. We need military defence for the protection of our freedom, values and borders – and we need culture for our protection and development as human beings,” Crown Prince Haakon said during Monday evening’s dinner. Photo: Simen Løvberg Sund, The Royal Court

The Crown Prince’s remarks at the dinner

The official visit to Germany continues this evening in Hamburg, where the focus will be on the energy transition and green industrial development, including hydrogen energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and the green maritime sector. 

The visit will conclude on Thursday 9 November in Berlin, where Crown Princess Mette-Marit will join the Crown Prince at a commemoration of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess will then meet with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.