The Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Ariel Sharon, has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik to visit Norway. The visit will take place on Wednesday 16 July.

Norway chairs the international donor group for the Palestinian areas, and has long been in touch with the parties in the Middle East conflict. A central Norwegian aim is to underline the need for the parties to keep up the pace in the peace process.

Prime Minister Bondevik has also invited the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, to visit Norway.

To the editor.: We will be back with details on time, place and press possibilities.