The Foreign Minister held talks in Addis Ababa with the leader of the African Union (AU), Alpha Oumar Konare, about the new African security architecture, other roles of the AU and Norway’s co-operation with the organisation.
"The African Union has taken on major, important tasks, not least in connection with the crisis in Darfur," said Foreign Minister Petersen. "The AU has given African co-operation new dynamism, and Norway must do its share in supporting the AU’s efforts. It is therefore important that we remain in close dialogue with the AU on how we best can co-operate with the organisation," said Mr. Petersen.
The Foreign Minister also held talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Foreign Minister Seyom Mesfin, with a focus on the peace process in the Sudan, the peace process between Ethiopia and Eritrea, other regional issues and the bilateral co-operation between Norway and Ethiopia.
The Foreign Minister also met with Ambassador Legwaila, the UN Secretary General’s special representative to the UN peacekeeping mission in Ethiopia (UNMEE).
Furthermore, the Foreign Minister met with religious leaders and representatives of political parties.