Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson will visit Madagascar on 10-13 November.

The purpose of the visit is to initiate a dialogue with the Madagascan authorities and the donor community on Madagascar on Norway’s future development co-operation with the country. The Minister will at the same time confirm Norway’s support for the reform process that has been set in motion by President Marc Ravalomanana.

During the visit, the Minister will have talks with the political leadership, including President Ravalomanana, Prime Minister Jacques Sylla, Foreign Minister Marcel Ranjeva and other key ministers. She will also have meetings with representatives from the World Bank, the IMF and various UN agencies, as well as representatives from the EU, the USA, France and Germany.

The Government has proposed to give Madagascar the status of partner country as from 2004.

Press contact: Trine Øveraas, mobile phone: +47 91 69 77 74