Raymond Johansen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Raymond Johansen (14 February 1961) is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.

Originally a member of the Socialist Left Party, he chaired their youth wing Socialist Youth from 1986 to 1988 and was a member of the central party board from 1986 to 1991. He chaired the local party chapter in Oslo from 1990 to 1991, and was city commissioner (byråd) of the environment and transport in the city government of Oslo from 1991 to 1995. He was not re-elected in 1995, and left the Socialist Left Party.

He then worked in the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation from 1996 to 2000 and was secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council. During the first and second cabinet Stoltenberg he was State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On March 18, 2007, Raymond met with members of the newly elected Hamas unity government and announced that Norway will resume economic aid. He also expressed hope that other European states will follow their lead.

He is married with two children and resides in Oslo. He is a plumber of education.