The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mr. Michail Fradkov, will pay an official visit to Norway 28-29 March, at the invitation of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Mr. Fradkov will also meet with King Harald V, Storting President Thorbjørn Jagland and Norwegian business leaders. He will meet with the leaders of Hydro and Statoil at Hydro's natural gas site at Aukra in Møre og Romsdal.

To the editor:
Press intending to cover the entire or parts of the visit, should by Thursday 23 March at 4 pm report to the press section of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: press@mfa.no .

The programme for the visit today looks as below. A more detailed programme will be available later.

Tuesday 28 March:
In the morning Prime Minister Fradkov will arrive at Oslo Airport Gardermoen. He will be received by Prime Minister Stoltenberg and Minister of Petroleum and Energy Odd Roger Enoksen, before travelling on to Aukra. Photo opportunity for accredited press when the two prime ministers meet at Gardermoen.

In the morning separate transport will be arranged for accredited press from Molde Airport Årø to Hydro's site at Aukra; the bus will return to Molde Airport after the prime ministers have left Aukra.

In the late morning Prime Ministers Stoltenberg and Fradkov will arrive at Hydro's site at Aukra, to meet with the leaders of Hydro and Statoil and to visit the site. Photo opportunities for accredited press, including one photo pool opportunity.

After the visit to Aukra the prime ministers will return to Oslo.

In the evening Mr. Stoltenberg will host a government dinner on the occasion of the Russian visit, at Akershus Castle in Oslo. Photo opportunity in the courtyard for accredited press. A photo pool will be able to work indoors as the guests proceed to the table.

Wednesday 29 March:
In the morning Prime Ministers Stoltenberg and Fradkov will meet for political talks at the Office of the Prime Minister. Photo opportunity for accredited press.

Immediately after the meeting the two prime ministers will be available to accredited press.

In the late morning Prime Minister Fradkov will meet with the President of the Storting (parliament), Mr. Thorbjørn Jagland, at the Storting. For press details we refer to the Storting.

In the early afternoon Prime Minister Fradkov is received by King Harald V for audience and lunch at the Royal Palace. For press details we refer to the Royal Palace.

In the afternoon Prime Ministers Stoltenberg and Fradkov will meet with Norwegian business leaders, in the Government Guest Hous at Parkveien 45 in Oslo. Photo opportunity for accredited press at the opening.

In the late afternoon Prime Minister Fradkov will return to Mosow.