“The main purpose of the trip is to commend the Polish people and civil society in Poland on their tremendous efforts to help Ukrainian refugees. I want to find out more about the humanitarian situation in Poland as a result of the war in Ukraine,” said Mr Gharahkhani.

During his visit, the President of the Storting also met Ryszard Terlecki, Deputy Marshal of the Sejm (the lower house), and Tomasz Grodzki, Marshal of the Senate (the upper house).

 “I’m looking forward to meeting my colleagues in the Polish Parliament. We must stand together for our common European values during this crisis; values that the Polish people, the rest of the EU, and Norway are fighting for,” Mr Gharahkhani said before the trip.

One week ago, a reception centre for refugees which the Norwegian Refugee Council has been involved in building up opened in Warsaw. Here, the President was given the opportunity to meet local staff and refugees.

“In Norway, we are prepared to do our bit by supporting humanitarian organizations and taking in refugees,” the President said.