The event was an informal way to mark the close relationship between the Norwegian Embassy and the U.S. Congress. Good food, drink and friendship were the central ingredients of the evening. Good conversation followed, featuring in-depth discussions of U.S. and Norwegian politics, transatlantic issues, and everything in between.
A large portion of the invitees were previous participants in the annual Norwegian American Parliamentary Exchange Program (NAPEP) trip to Norway. NAPEP was started in 1998, and takes Members of Congress and their staffs to Norway to study issues of mutual concern. Key topics include issues related to security and energy. This year’s NAPEP will take participants to the High North, including Spitzbergen, for a closer study of security, environmental and resources questions in the Arctic. The visit will take place in early August. Since its inception, NAPEP has brought more than 150 Members of Congress and staff members to Norway.