Austria and Norway Ambassadors present credentials

Accra, Jan 6, GNA - Mr Ferdinand Maustaschl, Ambassador of Austria, said his country has been impressed by the political and economic progress Ghana has made and wishes to expand co-operation with it.

''Our common goal should be to widen and deepen our political, economic and consular co-operation to the benefit of the peoples of both our countries''.

Presenting his letters of credence to President Jerry John Rawlings at the State House on Thursday, Mr Maustschl said Austria would continue to spare no effort in helping to overcome political and economic difficulties in Africa.

President Rawlings urged the new ambassador to promote Austrian private sector participation in Ghana's private sector by way of investments in joint ventures. He added ''it is with keen interest that we await the signing of the successor arrangement to the Lome IV Convention and it is our hope that we would be granted fair access to the European Union market''.

Dr Lars Tangeraas, Norway's Ambassador, said when presenting his credentials that he would explore commercial opportunities for increased trade relations between Ghana and Norway. He said Norway has taken note of President Rawlings's views on globalisation and has invited him to a seminar on the subject in July. President Rawlings appealed to Norwegian investors to do business in Ghana. GNA