Minister Brende will hold bilateral discussions with Minister Samaraweera at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning (07), following which the two ministers will address the media at 11.40 a.m. Minister Brende will call on President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of Opposition R. Sampanthan, and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga in the afternoon of 7 January.

In the evening at 5.30 p.m., Minister Brende will attend a Business Forum organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The visit is expected to focus on economic and development cooperation and explore ways to strengthen and enhance bilateral relations.

The last visit by a Foreign Minister of Norway took place in 2005.