In today’s session of the Council of State, the Prince Regent has appointed Ms. Cathrin Bretzeg (38), personnel manager, Asker, as state secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development from 16 February 2004. At the same time Ms. Kristin Ørmen Johnsen was honourably discharged from the office as state secretary in the same ministry from 18 January 2004.

Cathrin Bretzeg grew up in Asker. She is Bachelor of Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, USA. Ms. Bretzeg has held posts at the Norwegian Consumer Council, Andersen Consulting, the Ministry of Justice and SAS Norway. From April 2002 until August 2003 she worked in an innovation and modernisation group in the Ministry of Government Administration and Labour. Since September 2003 Ms. Bretzeg has been personnel manager at IKEA AS Norway. She has had various political duties in Asker Conservative Party, and is now representing the Conservative Party in Asker Municipal Council.

The list of state secretaries from 16 February 2004 looks as below. The Government represents the Conservative Party (C), the Christian Democratic Party (Chr.) and the Liberal Party (Lib.)

Office of the Prime Minister:
Ms. Kari Husøy (Chr.)
Mr. Eirik Moen (C)
Mr. Gunnar Kvassheim (Lib.)
Mr. Odd Jostein Sæter (Chr.)
Mr. Gunnar Husan (Chr.)
Ms. Siv Nordrum (Chr.)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Mr. Kim Traavik (C)
Mr. Vidar Helgesen (C)
Ms. Thorhild Widwey (C)

Ministry of Finance:
Mr. Øystein Børmer (C)
Ms. Kari Elisabeth Olrud Moen (C)
Mr. Harald Solberg (Chr.)

Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs:
Revd. Berit Øksnes Gjerløw (Chr.)
Mr. Yngve Slettholm (Chr.)

Ministry of Agriculture:
Mr. Leif Helge Kongshaug (Lib.)

Ministry of Justice and the Police:
Major General Jørn Holme (Lib.)
Ms. Rita Sletner (Lib.)

Ministry of Health:
Ms. Kristin Ravnanger (Chr.)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (international development affairs):
Mr. Olav Kjørven (Chr.)

Ministry of Petroleum and Energy:
Ms. Brit Skjelbred (Chr.)

Ministry of Children and Family Affairs:
Mr. Hans Olav Syversen (Chr.)

Ministry of Education and Research:
Mr. Bjørn Haugstad (C)
Mr. Helge Ole Bergesen (C)

Ministry of Fisheries:
Ms. Janne Johnsen (C)

Ministry of Labour and Government Administration:
Mr. Lars Arne Ryssdal (C)
Mr. Osmund Kaldheim (C)

Ministry of Social Affairs:
Mr. Jan Otto Risebrobakken (C)

Ministry of Trade and Industry:
Ms. Helle Hammer (C)
Mr. Oluf Ulseth (C)

Ministry of Transport and Communications:
Mr. Arnfinn Torbjørn Ellingsen (Lib.)

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development:
Mr. Anders Johan Henrik Eira (C)
Mr. Frank Jenssen (C)
Ms. Cathrin Bretzeg (C)

Ministry of Defence:
Mr. Bård Glad Pedersen (C)

Ministry of the Environment:
Mr. Lars Jacob Hiim (C)