Norway and Ukraine Strengthen Parliamentary Cooperation for Peace, Freedom and Democracy

On 8th May 2023, President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani visited his colleague, Ruslan Stefanchuk, in Kyiv. Mr Stefanchuk is now making the trip to Norway. Photo: Storting.

The recent visit of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, to Norway marked an important step in strengthening the close relationship between Ukraine and Norway during one of the most decisive periods in modern European history.

During the visit, Chairman Stefanchuk met with the President of the Norwegian Parliament, Masud Gharahkhani, together with representatives of the Norwegian Government and Parliament. The meetings demonstrated Norway’s continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, freedom and democratic future.

A central outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Storting of the Kingdom of Norway. The agreement aims to deepen parliamentary cooperation, strengthen democratic institutions and promote dialogue between the two countries.

The partnership reflects more than political cooperation. It represents a shared belief that democracy, rule of law and human dignity must be defended and developed together across borders.

For us in Support to the People of Ukraine (S2PU) and in the Erasmus+ project Youth Music for Peace, Freedom and Democracy, this cooperation carries an important message for young people in both Norway and Ukraine.

Young generations must understand that democracy cannot be taken for granted.

In Norway, children grow up celebrating the national day with school bands, children’s parades and music in peaceful streets. In Ukraine, many young people have experienced war, air raid alarms, shelters and the destruction of normal everyday life. Through cooperation between Ukrainian and Norwegian youth, we want to build understanding of both realities — and create hope for the future.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed this hope in his address to the Norwegian Parliament on 30 March 2022, when he highlighted Norway’s peaceful national celebrations with children and music as a symbol of freedom and democracy. He spoke about a future where Ukrainian children could one day celebrate in peace without military parades or fear of war.

That vision is also reflected in the growing cooperation between Norwegian and Ukrainian institutions, organisations and youth initiatives.

Through our project, young musicians and youth leaders from Kryvyi Rih, Kyiv and Oslo are now working together to create a common musical repertoire and shared activities focused on peace, freedom and democracy.

The planned Youth Peace Conference and Youth Peace Concert in Oslo in May 2027 aim to give young people a voice in shaping Europe’s democratic future.

The parliamentary cooperation between Norway and Ukraine sends an important signal to the youth of both countries:

• Freedom matters.
• Democracy matters.
• And international solidarity matters.

At a time when democracy is under pressure in many parts of the world, cooperation between free nations and active youth engagement are more important than ever.

The future of peace in Europe will not only be decided by governments and institutions, but also by young people who choose dialogue instead of division, music instead of hatred, and democracy instead of fear.