Dinner speech to NATO Military Committee

Your Majesty,

Mr. President and Mrs. Kivrikoglu,

Mr. Chairman and Mrs. Naumann,

Honoured Guests,

Prime Minister Clemenceau of France is supposed to have said that: ”war is a too serious matter to be left to the generals”.

In this gathering of distinguished officers, I am confident that everybody would agree with this point – especially in the presence of politicians!

But one may also view this from the opposite perspective. “Peace”, it has been said in more recent years, “is too important to be left to the civilians”.

That is also true. History has shown us that civilians and politicians alone cannot make or maintain the peace, without the support of our military and soldiers.

Therefore, it is a privilege and pleasure for me to welcome you, the Military Committee of NATO and Allied Chiefs of Defence, officers and peacekeepers, to Oslo and to this dinner at Akershus Castle.

The Castle dates as far back as 1299. As a military fortress, it has been a bulwark in the defence of our nationhood and our quest for sovereignty and independence. It has never been conquered in battle.

Today, this is still military ground. But, at the same time, Akershus is also an important arena for cultural and other civic activities.

To me, as acting Prime Minister, and as the Minister of Culture Affairs, these things go together. In the final instance, the strength of a nation springs not least from its cultural vitality and from the innovative power of civil society.

Our commitment to a strong national defence, and to safeguarding our territorial integrity, has now for almost five decades been bolstered by the collective determination of the NATO Alliance.

Next April - while we here in Norway also prepare the 700 years celebration of Akershus Castle – NATO leaders will gather in Washington to celebrate 50 years of the most successful alliance in history.

NATO’s contribution to peace and prosperity in post-war Europe can hardly be overestimated. By preserving stability and freedom in the western democracies, the Alliance prepared the ground for the collapse of the Berlin Wall, and for finally overcoming the artificial division of Europe. This is indeed a grand achievement.

Since the Cold War ended, NATO has shown enduring strength. The organisation has shown a remarkable ability to rise to new challenges and changing circumstances.

“Flexible response” used to describe a military doctrine. In political terms, it still holds true to describe the vast transformation our Alliance is going through.

At this point, I would like to extend a special greeting to our guests from Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. Your presence here tonight speaks for itself, as a most welcome illustration of this transformation.

Only six years ago – the last time we gathered in this hall – who would have thought that NATO soon would deploy together with the former Cold War adversaries, including Russia, as partners in peace, to restore stability in the former Yugoslavia? And who would have thought then that NATO before the end of the century would be engaged in a process of including the new democracies of Europe among its members?

While NATO’s door must remain open, including for the Baltic countries, the Alliance must continue the process of internal adaptation. We must revise the strategic concept to reflect new missions and tasks, while retaining the core functions and military effectiveness, of NATO.

At the same time, the special relations with Russia and Ukraine must be further developed. The integration of Russia is important, for Europe, and for Norway as a neighbour. Lasting stability in Europe can not be built without Russia.

Our relations with Russia will continue to present us with challenges. The humanitarian situation in Northwest Russia shows that we have to work to reduce the welfare divide between east and west. We must not underestimate problems of security and environment associated with the Russian military and nuclear forces near our borders - in an area which is important in terms of resources of oil, gas and fish.

Russia is now facing a serious political and economic situation. But the potential for growth in our relations is great. Norway works actively to engage Russia in regional co-operation. We will do this in close collaboration with our friends and allies, in the Nordic region and in NATO.

It is crucial for Norway that co-operation with Russia is closely linked to the broader Euro-Atlantic context. To succeed, we need the active participation of our European and American partners.

Honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen,

The transatlantic solidarity, and the community of values that NATO represents, remains an anchor of Norway’s security policy. As we strive to handle the current crisis in Kosovo, and continue the long process of peace-building in Bosnia, the role of NATO, not least politically, will be crucial.

While we prepare the Alliance for the twenty-first century, NATO’s ability to handle the new security environment in Europe will continue to be tested. I am very confident that, with your military expertise and guidance, NATO will pass each test with honours.

Allow me, finally, to propose a toast to you, Mr. President, Mr. Chairman, and all our guests, and to a continued fruitful co-operation within our Alliance.

Skål.