The Norwegian Government congratulates Megawati Soekarnoputri with the inauguration 23 July as the 5 ^th> President of the Republic of Indonesia.

"We hope that the transition of power will lead to increased political stability and that internal conflicts can be solved by peaceful means", says the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thorbjørn Jagland.

"Norway looks forward to co-operate with President Megawati and her new Government in promoting Human Rights and the development of democracy and good governance", stresses Jagland.

"We hope that the new Government will give a new impetus to the process of political and economic reforms which are necessary to fight poverty and to ensure welfare and social justice", underlines the Minister of Foreign Affairs.