Dinner speech to Tanzania's President Benjamin Mkapa

Your Excellency, Dear Mr. president and Mrs. Mkapa, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Akershus Castle. This dinner in honour of His Excellency, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr Benjamin Mkapa and Mrs Anna Mkapa, is indeed a special occasion. We have had the pleasure of meeting a number of your ministers during the past years. But not since 1990 have we had the honour of receiving the Tanzanian head of state.

On this occasion allow me first, once again, to express, on behalf of the people of Norway, our great sadness and shock at the many innocent victims of the terrible explosions in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi recently. Considering the close bonds that have developed between Norwegians and the Tanzanian people, I can assure you that we all share in your deep grief. And we sincerely hope that the guilty will be found and brought to trial for their horrible crimes.

Mr President,

Our relations are close, and go back a long time. Development co-operation between Norway and Tanzania began over 30 years ago. With Norwegian assistance, an education centre was built in Kibaha on the coast. Assistance was also provided through the East African Community until Tanzania and Norway signed the first bilateral agreement in 1966.

From the beginning, we have focused on public administration, health and education. In 1968 the Norwegian agency for development, NORAD, established a field office in Dar es Salaam. Then, in 1973, Tanzania became our major co-operation partner. And so it has remained. Tanzania, and the neighbouring countries, are our most important African partners in development.

Our common goal must be to promote a self-sustainable Tanzanian economy. Development assistance is only a means to this end. To achieve this, we must work together – on political reform, on structural adjustment, on developing human resources, and on managing natural resources. We have come a long way. The new principles for partnership are a radical change in our co-operation. I feel confident that we are on the right track.

Mr President,

While we continue our development co-operation, we must also expand the scope of our relations. Tanzania is a beautiful country, rich in resources and opportunities. There is increasing interest from the private sector in Norway. I know there is a delegation from the Tanzanian business community in Oslo right now. I hope that we will see more commercial links between our countries in the future. A positive climate for foreign investments will be crucial to the development of a self-sustainable Tanzanian economy.

Mr President,

Allow me to turn to the major changes that have taken place in Tanzania in the 1990s. Going from a one-party to a multi-party system is a dramatic change. It requires the full participation and commitment of all those involved. Tanzania has proved to be among the countries in Africa that has managed this difficult transition in a most positive manner, and with a minimum of tension. The process has been broad and inclusive, involving talking and listening to ordinary Tanzanian men and women. This set the standard for the rest of the transition period. We had a most interesting visit from your parliament in March, with representatives from four different political parties. I am glad to note that the political reform process in Tanzania is on track. I can assure you that we will continue to support you in your important endeavours.

Tanzania has remained a peaceful country since independence. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have crossed your borders, seeking shelter and protection from war and oppression. In this respect, the name of your capital is appropriate for the whole country. As you all may know, Dar es Salaam in English means ”Haven of Peace”.

We sincerely commend your humanitarian efforts. The way the Tanzanian people have received all those forced to leave their homes in other countries, is an example to us all.

As Tanzania has been one of the major recipients of refugees, it may be natural that your country is also very active in seeking to prevent and resolve conflicts in your region. Norway supports financially the mediating efforts of Mwalimu Nyerere in the Burundi conflict. More recently we have learned that you, Mr President, are involved in the efforts to find a solution to the ongoing conflict in Congo. We wish you every success in this very important and demanding task.

Mr President,

I can promise you that Norway, and the other Nordic countries, will continue to work with our African partners for democracy, human rights, conflict prevention and peace-keeping on the African Continent. Despite many positive signs, there are still too many Africans living in poverty, too many basic human needs unfulfilled. Therefore, we will remain major contributors to humanitarian aid and development assistance, both bilaterally and through the United Nations system. As we enter a new millennium, I look forward to developing further our co-operation, at the United Nations, with the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organisation of African Unity, and bilaterally. I can assure you that in the United Nations Norway will continue to be a solid Nordic voice for ensuring that globalisation benefits the less developed countries, not least in Africa, where the needs – but also the opportunities – are the greatest.

Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to propose a toast to a bright future, for Tanzania and for Africa - the cradle of human civilisation - and for the friendship between the people of Tanzania and Norway.

Skål.