Constitution Day of the Kingdom of Norway: 17 May 2019

The Embassy of Madagascar in Berlin, represented by Mrs Florence Rafaramalala, Chargé d’affaires a.i,  responded positively to the invitation of the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mrs. Ine Eriksen Soreide, to the celebration of the Constitution Day, on May 17 in Oslo.

Apart from the almost 250-year-old tradition of parades of schoolchildren and leaders, with music and bands, in front of the King and the Royal Family, the diplomatic corps and the population, the many tourists, the best governed country in the world gives places of honor to the disabled and the most vulnerable and also honors pedestrians.

This is typical of Norway, a demonstration of the strength of family and community, of peace, of joy of life, instead of military parades, without ignoring the security aspect.
The Constituent Assembly’s adoption in Eidsvoll of the Constitution of Norway historically dated back to the day before (May, 16th), which is the fundamental text governing the functioning of the Kingdom of Norway, and which was signed and dated 17 May 1814.

On May 16, the Minister of Foreign Affairs presented Norway’s foreign policy priorities, including peace and reconciliation, respect for human rights, especially those of women and children, and multilateral cooperation. As for the Minister for International Development, Mr. Dag-Inge Ulstein, he announced the upcoming establishment of a new consultation platform for a better impact/result of his Ministry’s policy.

Girls’ education, as well as the focus on fragile and vulnerable countries, is of the utmost interest to Madagascar, without neglecting the fight against illicit capital flows, a real key to development, the fight against corruption, adaptation to climate change, renewable energy, the blue economy and the environment.

Cooperation between the two countries, which dates back more than 150 years, needs to be deepened, with intense exchanges and attachments between Malagasy and Norwegians, particularly in the fields of language and culture.