Luncheon speech to Argentina's President Carlos Menem

Mr. President, Ministers, Your Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

When you visited Norway earlier this year, Mr. President, you spoke of your homeland and invited us to come and see for ourselves. This was a very welcome invitation which we have gladly accepted. And I can assure you, Mr. President, that it is a great pleasure for me and my delegation to be here. This is a short visit, but from what I have seen of Buenos Aires today I certainly hope I will be able to return.

Apart from your country’s beauty, I feel our mutual visits have established friendships that will form a solid foundation for future cooperation. I know Machiavelli said that states have interests, not friends. But I believe that common interests with friends are a better prospect.

Last year the Norwegian Government launched a Strategic Plan for Latin America. It aims to increase our contacts with Latin America in all spheres. My visit here should be seen in this light – as an expression of our country’s wish to build a strong and lasting friendship and close contacts with Argentina.

Respect for democracy and human rights has been strengthened in Argentina in recent years. I am convinced that it is not a coincidence that Argentina, and indeed most of Latin America, has experienced positive economic developments in parallel with a strengthening of democracy. Democracy does not guarantee economic progress. If that were the case, our central banks and finance ministers would have been quite redundant. But in the long run true sustainable economic progress will not be found in an environment which is not democratic and free.

Although our two nations are separated by the entire length and width of the Atlantic Ocean, they have many common interests. Our long, rugged coastlines have made us important fishing nations with a significant stake in the conservation and development of marine resources. Geographical location and marine history have made both of us polar nations.

Norway’s polar policy is one of conservation and safeguarding of the unique natural environment of these regions. Both in the Arctic and in the Antarctic we are fully committed to sustainable management of living resources. We appreciated the constructive and highly professional Argentinean participation at the 22nd Antarctic Consultative meeting held in northern Norway this summer. We look forward to continued cooperation with Argentina on Antarctic affairs and the protection of the polar environment for the benefit of future generations. As amply demonstrated by the very important climate conference held here in Buenos Aires just a few weeks ago, environmental questions are of paramount importance to the whole world. I would like to congratulate the Government of Argentina on the success of the conference.

The United Nations is a cornerstone of Norway’s foreign policy, and we have seen positive developments in the cooperation between Argentina and Norway in the UN. We are both heavily involved in peacekeeping operations and we participate in many of the same peacekeeping forces. We also welcome the Argentinean initiative for more efficient international cooperation in the humanitarian sector, «the White Helmets», launched by you, Mr. President, in 1993.

Our economic relations are developing in a very positive direction, and I am confident that there is ample scope for expansion in this field. In earlier times Norwegian commercial interests in Argentina were mainly related to shipping, whaling, fishing, harbour construction and polar expeditions. Historically these sectors were of major economic importance to both countries. Today we have common interests in many other sectors of the economy. Speciality ships, oil exploration, electronic products like landing systems for airports and the hypermodern chemicals harbour in Campanas are examples of cooperation between Norway and Argentina. The fact that leading Norwegian businessmen are present here today bodes well for our future commercial relations.

Mr. President,

It is a long way from the fjords of Norway to the pampas of Argentina, but in their hearts our two peoples have many things in common. One of them is football, and two of its most faithful adherents are the President of Argentina and the Prime Minister of Norway.

Today we have had what I thought was an interesting and very useful dialogue. We see eye to eye on many issues, although we may differ on some. Above all we have found in you, Mr. President, and in your government, a sincere willingness to work together with us on building a stronger and forward-looking relationship between Norway and Argentina. This is a most valuable message to take home as we set out for Norway this afternoon after our very rewarding visit to Argentina and South America.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like you to join me in a toast to Argentina and its President Carlos Menem, to his delegation and to the continued friendship between Norway and Argentina.