Remarks by State Secretary Maria Varteressian during 'Norway Night' at Hannover Messe, Germany

Dear Dr. Köckler,

Dear friends of Norway – Guten Abend – and welcome to Norway Night!

It is truly an honor and a great pleasure to be here, representing Norway as this year’s partner country at the Hannover Messe.

Germany is Norway’s most important partner in Europe – and all of you represent important dimensions of that relationship.

Being a partner country at the world’s largest (and most important!) industrial fair provides a unique opportunity to showcase what Norwegian industry and businesses have to offer.

36 Norwegian companies are represented here in Hannover!

This spans from young and successful scale- up companies like Intelecy and Enerin to big and well-established global players like Equinor and Yara.

I know many of you have worked very hard for a very long time to make all of this happen.

I am grateful to Innovation Norway for hosting this event. It is a recognition of the considerable efforts made to make Norway’s role in Hannover a success. And a tribute to the wonderful staff at the Hannover Messe.

I also extend a very warm welcome to all the exhibitors and visitors.

I think we could all do with a few cold beers and some good music tonight. You have earned it, all of you!

Indeed - tonight is an opportunity to celebrate a very successful week so far.

This includes a broad political agenda – not least conversations at the highest level. My boss, Prime Minister Støre, met both Federal Chancellor Scholz and his friend, Commission president von der Leyen earlier this week.

Among the topics on the agenda: how to strengthen our strategic partnership on energy and industry even further.

Friends,

In the face of accelerating climate change, the green transition is not a choice. It is an imperative.

The very reason why we discuss new green industries is the recognition of the fact that there is a climate crisis.

You know it better than anyone:  we cannot talk about the future of industry without talking about the green transition.

Many of you are key agents of that transformation, really embodying the motto of Norway’s participation in Hannover: “Pioneering the Green Industrial Transition”.

The green transition will not be successful without the private sector - industry and businesses - on board.

You are the ones developing new ideas and technologies necessary in order for us to achieve the targets set out by the Paris Climate Agreement.

And Norwegian companies possess capacity, skills, solutions and expertise in:

• hydrogen production
• offshore wind
• solar energy
• battery production
• and carbon capture and storage

I could mention many more areas.

Affordable energy is a key word for both households and businesses. The goal for the private sector must be to go green and stay profitable.   

And then it is up to me and my colleagues in government to ensure a favorable regulatory framework and the public funds to make the “Energiewende” happen.

That is a lot of responsibility for all of us.

Germany is a pioneer and a role model in transitioning towards renewable energy at a rapid pace. Indeed, also when it comes to building a hydrogen economy, Germany is a front runner in the EU.

Together with Germany, Norway works to bring the green transition in Europe forward,
- while strengthening energy security
- while ensuring the competitiveness of European industry in a rapidly changing world
- and while facilitating the creation of new green industries and jobs!

Friends,

I started by stating that Germany is Norway’s most important partner in Europe.

This is not just a nice phrase: it is a guiding principle in our daily work. My first bilateral visit as Deputy Foreign Minister was to Berlin.  

Whether we discuss security policies in a world of increasing geopolitical tensions, common efforts to strengthen rule of law in Europe, or cultural exchange – we always look to Germany.

The diversity of actors and events here in Hannover this week is testimony to the broad, close, and trustful cooperation between our two countries.

It is also a testament to the potential for even more cooperation as we tackle the challenges of the future together.    

Noone represents that potential better than you.   

Only one thing remains for me to say:

Viel Spaß! Enjoy the evening! Kos dere i kveld!

Thank you.