News of Norway, issue 5, 1999
Rep. Bill Archer (R-Texas), chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives, led the U.S. delegation's trip to Norway. The other deegation members, who were invited by the Norwegian government, included Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas), Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wisconsin), chairman of the Science Committee, Rep. Michael G.Oxley (R-Ohio), Rep. David L. Hobson (R-Ohio) and Rep. Richard M.Burr (R-North Carolina).
Direct contact between high-level officials and political leaders is important for the relations between our two countries. The United States is Norway's most important ally and a key trade partner. To increase the Americans' knowledge of Norwegian politics, business and general priorities, Norway has established a Norwegian-American Parliamentary Exchange Program and other similar programs aimed at policy- and decisionmakers.
In addition to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. Congressional members met with members of the Storting (the Norwegian National Assembly), officials from the Ministry of Oil and Energy, and the Ministry of Finance and Customs, the Norwegian Shipowner's Association, and business leaders. In addition, Congressman Sensenbrenner explored science and research programs, by participating in a science conference at the archipelago of Svalbard.
This is how the leader of the delegation, Rep. Bill Archer (R-Texas), summed up the stay, "My August trip to Norway was truly wonderful. From the food, to the people, to the scenic countryside and fjords, it is a delightful nation. I gained a great deal from visiting with members of the Norwegian Parliament, senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Oil and Energy, and Finance and Customs, as well as the Norwegian business people. The trip reinforced my commitment to reducing obstacles to free trade and mutual ecoomic progress between our two societies."