In today’s session of the Council of State the King has appointed Mr. Just Hjalmar Johansen (48), manager, Sortland, as state secretary to Ms. Erna Solberg in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development from 21 February 2005. He succeeds Mr. Frank Jenssen, who has been honourably discharged from the office as state secretary as of 28 February.

Just Johansen, originally from Båtsfjord in Finnmark, now comes from the post as manager of the company Karl Strømme AS at Sortland in Nordland. He has studied commerce and engineering, and has held various posts in private business. Mr. Johansen has held political posts for the Conservative party in Båtsfjord, and was mayor of Båtsfjord from 1999 until 2003.

The Government represents the Conservative Party (C), the Christian Democratic Party (CD) and the Liberal Party (L). From28 February 2005the list of state secretaries looks as below.

For Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik:
Ms. Kari Husøy (CD)
Mr. Eirik Moen (C)
Mr. Gunnar Kvassheim (L)
Mr. Odd Jostein Sæter (CD)
Mr. Gunnar Husan (CD)
Ms. Siv Nordrum (CD)

For Mr. Jan Petersen, Minister of Foreign Affairs:
Mr. Kim Traavik (C)
Mr. Vidar Helgesen (C)
Ms. Sylvi Graham (C)

For Ms. Erna Solberg, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development:
Ms. Cathrin Bretzeg (C)
Ms. Ellen Inga Hætta (C)
Mr. Roger Iversen (C)
Mr. Just Hjalmar Johansen (C)

For Mr. Dagfinn Høybråten, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs:
Ms. Kristin Ravnanger (CD)
Mr. Helge Eide (CD)

For Mr. Lars Sponheim, Minister of Agriculture and Food:
Mr. Leif Helge Kongshaug (L)

For Mr. Per-Kristian Foss Minister of Finance:
Mr. Øystein Børmer (C),
Ms. Kari Elisabeth Olrud Moen (C) – on leave from 21 April 2004.
Mr. Harald Solberg (CD)
Ms. Helle Hammer (C) – acting from 18 June 2004.
Mr. Geir S. Olsen (L)

For Mr. Odd Einar Dørum, Minister of Justice and the Police:
Ms. Rita Sletner (L)
Mr. Trond Prytz (L)

For Ms. Valgerd Svarstad Haugland, Minister of Culture and Church Affairs:
Revd. Berit Øksnes Gjerløw (CD)
Mr. Yngve Slettholm (CD)

For Ms. Hilde Frafjord Johnson, Minister of International Development Affairs:
Mr. Leiv Lunde (CD)

For Ms. Laila Dåvøy, Minister of Children and Family Affairs:
Mr. Hans Olav Syversen (CD)

For Ms. Kristin Clemet, Minister of Education and Research:
Mr. Bjørn Haugstad (C)
Mr. Helge Ole Bergesen (C)

For Mr. Svein Ludvigsen, Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs:
Ms. Janne Johnsen (C)

For Mr. Ansgar Gabrielsen, Minister of Health and Care Services:
Mr. Jan Otto Risebrobakken (C)
Ms. Elisabeth Aspaker (C)

For Ms. Torild Skogsholm, Minister of Transport and Communications:
Mr. Arnfinn Torbjørn Ellingsen (L)

For Ms. Kristin Krohn Devold, Minister of Defence:
Mr. Bård Glad Pedersen (C)

For Mr. Børge Brende, Minister of Trade and Industry:
Mr. Lars Jacob Hiim (C) – leave of absence 21 February-18 May 2005
Ms. Tone Skogen (C)
Mr. Bjørn Johnny Skaar (C) – acting 21 February-18 May 2005

For Mr. Morten Andreas Meyer, Minister of Modernisation:
Mr. Eirk Lae Solberg (C)

For Ms. Thorhild Widvey, Minister of Petroleum and Energy:
Mr. Oluf Ulseth (C)

For Mr. Knut Arild Hareide, Minister of the Environment:
Mr. Øyvind Håbrekke (CD)