Memorial ceremony in Thailand on 26 December

On 26 December 2005, the Thai authorities will hold a ceremony to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the tsunami in Asia. Invitations have been sent to the families of Norwegians who were killed, to Norwegians who were injured and to representatives of the Norwegian authorities.

The Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, has asked Member of the Storting and former Foreign Minister Jan Petersen to represent him at the ceremony.

“This is appropriate as he followed the tragedy at such close hand and as it was under his leadership that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranged memorial journeys for families of the victims,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. “I am delighted that Jan Petersen has agreed to represent Norway.”

Mr Petersen, who was Foreign Minister at the time, visited the area shortly after the tsunami and was in contact with a number of bereaved Norwegian families. He also conveyed condolences on behalf of the Norwegian people to the Thai authorities and thanked them for their assistance to Norwegians who were hit by the disaster.

Mr Petersen will be present at the anniversary memorial ceremony in Khao Lak together with Norway’s ambassador to Thailand, Merete Fjeld Brattested.