New Norwegian High Ambassador pledges long-term bilateral relations with MW

Malawi: Ms. Ingrid Marie Mikelsen, incoming Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, has said that Norway is here as a long-term partner in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligning their priorities with Malawi's as outlined in Malawi Vision 2063.

She stated this during her presentation of letters of credence to President Lazarus Chakwera at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on September 8, 2022.

The new Norwegian envoy to Malawi expressed her delight and honour at being appointed Norwegian High Commissioner to further develop bilateral relations.

"Norway backs Malawi's ambitious MW2063. We look forward to further developing our bilateral relations, and we are encouraged by the Government of Malawi's efforts to combat corruption, which we believe is detrimental to development. Norway will continue to promote equal rights for all including the protection of women and children against violence and discrimination," she explained.

The Ambassador was also pleased to mention the signing ceremony of the Mpatamanga Hydro Power Project, in which the Norwegian Development Finance Institution (Norfund) is a financier.

"We hope that this project will benefit all Malawians and help address the serious energy crisis that the country is currently facing," she said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo, stated in her remarks that the arrival of the new Norway envoy to Malawi in such a short period of time demonstrates the strong bond of friendship that exists between Malawi and Norway.

Tembo stated that there has been a lot of work done in this country with Norway's help, and it is their sincere hope that the friendship between the two countries will continue to grow.

"Norway is here as a strong partner, so we look back and are very hopeful that this friendship bond will continue to strengthen," she said.

Malawi and Norway established diplomatic relations in 1964, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Lilongwe opened in 1999, with a resident Ambassador.