State visit of Tanzanian President to Norway

OSLO, Norway

The Norwegian Royal Family are hosting the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Hassan, on a State Visit to Norway on February 13 and 14, to celebrate and build diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan laid a wreath at the national monument at Akershus Fortress. COURTESY

Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja are the hosts of the visit, and welcomed the President to Norway in a formal ceremony at the Royal Palace.

The visit marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Norway and Tanzania.

This is the first Tanzanian state visit to Norway since 1976 when President Julius Nyerere was welcomed by King Olav at the Royal Palace Square. In 2007, King Harald granted President Jakaya Kikwete an audience at the Royal Palace during an official visit to Norway.

King Harald greets President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the Upper Vestibule at the Royal Palace. Crown Prince Haakon accompanied the President. COURTESY

The visit began with a formal ceremony in the Great Hall at the Royal Palace Tuesday morning. The national anthems of both countries were sung, and then President Hassan was introduced to representatives of official institutions in Norway.

Official photographs were taken in the Bird Room, which was followed by an exchange of gifts in the White Parlour.

It is a tradition for visiting heads of state to lay a wreath at the national monument at Akershus Fortress, and the President of the United Republic of Tanzania paid tribute to Norwegians who lost their lives in the Second World War.

From Akershus Fortress, the President went to the Storting, the Norwegian Parliament, where she had a brief meeting with its First Vice President, Mr Svein Harberg.

Official photographs in the Bird Room: Princess Astrid, Queen Sonja, President Samia Hassan, King Harald, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon. COURTESY

During the afternoon, Crown Prince Haakon and President Hassan attended a Norwegian – Tanzanian Business Forum at Næringslivets Hus in Oslo.

Tanzania has one of Africa's fastest growing economies, and and Norwegian technology and expertise are in demand.

For many years, the country has been one of Norway's most important partner countries in development cooperation, but the cooperation has changed and renewed in line with Tanzania's development.