President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Norway on the occasion marking their 203rd Constitution Day on May 17.

Norway’s Constitution Day commemorates the signing of Norway’s constitution at Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814. It’s usually referred to as syttende mai (May 17) or Nasjonaldegen (The National Day) in Norwegian.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to His Majesty King Harald V, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in my own name, extended warmest congratulations to His Majesty, and through him, the Government and kind people of the Kingdom of Norway.

The Liberian leader noted that under King Harald V’s guidance, relations between Liberia and Norway have never been better than what both nations currently enjoy. “Much to our delight, our engagements have given priority to cooperation in sectors which are of immense importance to the attainment of our development goals,” the Liberian leader said.

She recounted some of Norway’s aid to Liberia to include energy, security, and forest management.

Additionally, President Sirleaf noted that in December, 2016, the Norwegian Foreign Minister, H.E. Børge Brende was in Liberia to participate in the official inauguration of the first operation of the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant.

Barely four months later, the Liberian Government received in Monrovia the United Nations Development Program Goodwill Ambassador, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway who observed, at first-hand, Liberia’s progress in consolidating peace, and in planning for the implementation of the globally-agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Liberian President informed His Majesty King Harald V that Prince Haakon’s visit to the country provided yet another opportunity for discussion of bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest to both nations and peoples.

“Therefore, as you celebrate this auspicious occasion, we join many the world over in recognizing the great strides the Government and people of Kingdom of Norway continue to make to ensure that the world remains a safe and prosperous place for all mankind,” President Sirleaf stressed. 

She wished His Majesty continued good health and prosperity, and for the Government and people of Norway sustained progress and happiness.