The Norwegian Prime Minister to Australia and New Zealand 13-17 March 2005
Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik, Prime Minister of Norway, visited Australia and New Zealand on 13-17 March 2005. This was the first time that a Norwegian Prime Minister visited the two countries.
The Prime Minister’s program included meetings with Prime Minister John Howard in Canberra and Prime Minister Helen Clark in Wellington, a business luncheon in Sydney and meetings with Norwegian students in the two countries. The Prime Minster was also be present at the consecration of the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Sydney.
Among the subjects that were discussed with the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers were the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, cooperation within international organisations as the UN, regional conflicts and the international fight on terrorism.
The Prime Minister gave a speech on "Norway - 100 years of independence. Norwegian Foriegn Policy and engagement in international peace processes" at the Victoria University in Wellington and at the National Press Club in Canberra. Transcripts of the speeches can be found on the following links: Wellington Canberra