Norway’s King Harald V reaffirmed his country’s support for Burma’s reform process on Monday while engaging in discussions to boost bilateral relations and trade.

Burmese President Thein Sein welcomed the Norwegian monarch and his wife, Queen Sonja, with a ceremony on the lawn of the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw.

The king was introduced to Burma’s Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin and other senior ministers. The Norwegian delegation reportedly includes 70 representatives from about 40 Norwegian companies, as well as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Trade and Industry, and the State Secretaries of the Petroleum and Energy Ministry and the Climate and Environmental Ministry.

According to Burmese state media, senior officials also discussed Burma’s peace process and the rehabilitation of refugees and IDPs in a post-conflict period.

Union Minister Dr Kan Zaw and Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding with regard to development projects.

[related]

King Harald and Queen Sonja also met with union parliament speaker Shwe Mann at the parliament building and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi at the Park Royal Hotel in Naypyidaw.

The king is scheduled to give a speech at Rangoon University on 2 December.