Dominica’s Head of State, H.E. Charles Savarin anticipates increased mutual cooperation with the establishment of the Kingdom of Norway’s Ambassador to Dominica, H.E. John Petter Opdahl.
Ambassador Opdahl arrived on the island last week and held a number of meetings before and after he presented his credentials to President Savarin.
At the President’s Office in Morne Bruce, Ambassador Opdahl told Dominica’s president that the Kingdom of Norway looks forward to the diplomatic work ahead.
“It is the wish and hope of my Government that close contact and already good relations between our embassies in Havana will ensure closer contact and more efficient decision making processes in all our bilateral and multilateral cooperation. We also hope that this will foster inter-regional and multinational cooperation between Norway, Dominica and other nations in this region. I am also very pleased that Norway is very well represented in the Commonwealth of Dominica by our Honorary Consul Mr. Gerald Grell. Today is a significant day for me because now, I can start to work in the capacity as Ambassador of Norway to the Commonwealth of Dominica. It is my hope that we will maintain our mutual trust and close relations and that our cooperation in trade and investment will expand and continue in years to come.”
President Savarin accepted the credentials stating his wish to cooperate in the areas in which the Kingdom of Norway has proven its expertise.
“Since our two countries established diplomatic relations on the 26th of March 2001, these relations have been cordial though not extensive. We are however aware of the wide expertise your country possesses in the areas of renewable energy, more particularly, hydroelectricity; fisheries including aquaculture; information and communication technology, and your vast experience in offshore exploring for and extracting of oil and natural gas. It is my expectation that during your tenure, it may be possible to explore avenues of cooperation in these areas as well as areas of health, education, culture and the environment.”
Ambassador Opdahl was scheduled to pay a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Skerrit and visit the Barana Aute with Hon. Ashton Graneau.
Ambassador Opdahl will not be resident on the island.