SA Doing Well as G20 Chair

Norway: Envoy hails country for great job despite criticism by some nations

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

The Norwegian ambassador to South Africa, Gjermund Saether, has lauded South Africa's Presidency and chairmanship of the G20, saying the country is doing a great job and Norway supports it despite criticism by some countries.

This is an apparent reference to US President Donald Trump, who expressed doubt about attending the G20, despite the fact that the US will take over the G20 presidency from South Africa this year.

Trump's Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, recently boycotted the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Joburg due to the way the US administration views Pretoria's land reform policy.

Speaking at the launch of the exhibition on African Norwegian Solidarity at the Apartheid Museum, Saether said one of the manifestations of the good cooperation between South Africa and Norway was Pretoria's move to extend an invitation to Norway to participate as an invited guest country during the G20.