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President Andris Berzins (right) inspects the guard of honour at Palace Square, Oslo, accompanied by HM King Harald (left). Photo: Vidar Ruud, NTB Scanpix / www.kongehuset.no
Yesterday, Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway extended an official welcome to President Andris Berzins of Latvia to Norway in a ceremony on the Palace Square in Oslo.
The President of Latvia is paying a State Visit to Norway on 18-19 March. Latvia and Norway cooperate closely in many areas, and the President’s visit is a step in strengthening and further developing the excellent ties between the two countries, The Royal Court reports on it’s website.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon accompanied President Berzins to the Palace Square, where he was received by the King, the Queen and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
The two heads of state heard the national songs of both countries from the pavilion of honour, after which President Berzins inspected the King’s Guard, accompanied by the King.
Photo: Berit Roald, NTB Scanpix / www.kongehuset.no
From left to right: Princess Astrid Mrs.Ferner, HM Queen Sonja, President Berzins, HM King Harald, HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit, HRH Crown Prince Haakon.
Following the ceremony, the hosts and their guest entered the Palace for an exchange of gifts and official photographs in the Bird Room
Photo: Vidar Ruud, NTB Scanpix / www.kongehuset.no
Before leaving the Palace Square they took time to greet representatives of the Latvian community in Norway and the schoolchildren who had come to watch the ceremony and welcome the President.
In keeping with tradition for state visits to Norway, President Berzins visited Akershus Fortress, where he lay a wreath at the National Monument.
King Harald and Queen Sonja accompanied the President to the fortress and the ceremony, which was held in front of the monument commemorating the Norwegians who lost their lives from 1940-1945.
The King and Queen then accompanied President Berzins to the headquarters of the DNB Group, where they attended the opening of a seminar for representatives of Norwegian and Latvian trade and industry.
Both the Latvian Minister of Economics Dana Reizniece-Ozola and the Norwegian Minister of EEA and EU Affairs Mr.Vidar Helgesen spoke before a short film on Scandinavian business activities in Latvia was shown.
This introduction was followed by a panel debate on how to promote successful business cooperation between Latvia and Norway, featuring representatives of the banking and finance, construction and ICT sectors.
In the afternoon, after an official luncheon hosted by Their Majesties, President Berzins met with the President of the Storting Mr.Olemic Thomessen and Prime Minister Mrs.Erna Solberg.
In the evening, King Harald and Queen Sonja hosted a gala dinner at the Royal Palace in honour of the State Visit and President Andris Berzsins. Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner, the King’s sister, was also in attendance.
KILDE / SOURCE: www.kongehuset.no
Les mer på / see more (in English) at The Royal Court website: www.kongehuset.no
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