At the invitation of HM King Harald, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will be making an official visit to Norway on 12 November.

The visit will begin at 1200 hours, when HM King Harald will receive President Putin at the Royal Palace.

Later the President will hold talks with Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik at his office, and a signing ceremony and a working luncheon will also be arranged. Before the President leaves the Prime Minister’s office, a joint press conference will be held at approximately 1455 hours.

On the same day President Putin will meet with representatives of the Norwegian private sector. This meeting will take place at the Government Guest House at Parkveien 45 in Oslo.

In the evening Their Majesties The King and Queen will host a dinner at the Royal Palace before President Putin returns to Moscow.

A press centre will be set up at the Royal Christiania Hotel in Oslo and will be open on 12 November. Applications for press accreditation may be sent to the Foreign Ministry’s accreditation web site: www.akkreditering@mfa.no

Please note that the programme is subject to change.

Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 5 November 2002