Dmitry Medvedev, president of the Russian Federation, is scheduled to arrive in Oslo on Monday April 26 for a two-day official visit, reports newspaper Aftenposten. His program isn’t finalized, but his stay is expected to feature all the pomp and pageantry of a state visit.
The Foreign Ministry confirmed earlier this year that Medvedev would be coming to Norway this spring. Aftenposten reported Saturday that the visit will last through Tuesday April 27, when Medvedev travels on to Denmark.
State visits usually include a review of the king’s guards outside the Royal Palace, a visit with King Harald V and often Crown Prince Haakon, the laying of wreaths at the Akershus Fortress and Castle, formal state dinners and the streets adorned with the flag of the visiting head of state’s country.
Norway shares a border with Russia in the far north and Norwegian top government officials have held several meetings with their Russian counterparts recently, discussing such topics as the northern areas, jurisdiction in the Barents Sea, salmon exports and business issues.
Norwegian telecoms firm Telenor was recently in a protracted dispute with Vimpelcom of Norway that involved the highest levels of government in both countries. Norwegian state oil company Statoil has also been involved in development of Russia’s huge Stockman gas field, but technical challenges and the global finance crisis have put that project on ice.
Views and News staff
