Luncheon speech to Chile's President Eduardo Frei

Mr President and Madame Frei,

Ministers and distinguished members of the Chilean delegation,

Your Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be back in Chile and to be enjoying the hospitality shown to us by you, Mr. President, and by your countrymen. We feel that we are among friends. I hope that my visit this time will consolidate Norwegian-Chilean friendship and strengthen the close cooperation that already exists between our two countries.

My first visit to Chile took place at the time of the referendum in 1988, when the Chilean people voted for a democratic future. The atmosphere and the intense discussions made a lasting impression. I returned to Chile in 1990 as minister of foreign affairs and witnessed the exciting progress towards democracy and reconciliation.

Last year the Norwegian Government launched a Strategic Plan for Latin America. The aim of the Plan is to increase our contacts with Latin America in all spheres. My visit should also be seen in this context – as an expression of our country’s wish to build strong and lasting relations with Chile.

This morning we had an interesting and productive exchange of views both on international issues and on bilateral questions. We confirmed our common interests, which are manifold, despite the fact that our countries are situated on opposite sides of the world. Both our countries are long and narrow, with high mountains and deep fjords. Large, sparsely populated areas are a feature of both Chile and Norway. Fishing, energy production, the pulp industry and forestry are basic pillars of our respective economies.

Our similarities also include many of our ideals and values. Among the most fundamental are the promotion of democracy and human rights. Chile has come a long way in its transition from military rule to multi-party democracy. We have followed this process with great interest, appreciation and sympathy. We have tried to be of help wherever we could.

Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go before respect for basic human rights and freedoms is a universal reality. No matter how much time it takes, we must never lose sight of our vision of a better world where human dignity and respect for the individual are a reality everywhere. This must be at the heart of all politics.

We share an increasing number of challenges. Chile and Norway have both benefited from the globalisation of the world economy. But this autumn we have been reminded of the serious problems globalisation can also cause, not least in the financial sector. These are problems that affect us all, regardless of the fundamental performance of our local economies.

Globalisation is here to stay. But in order to avoid the negative effects of globalisation, we have to devise political mechanisms that will make it possible to turn globalisation into a force for good, not only for the few, but for humanity in general. Better and more open mechanisms for international financial operations must be found. The special needs of the developing world must be addressed in a more appropriate manner.

Cooperation between Chile and Norway takes many forms. Our common effort to preserve the Antarctic region and to utilise it for the good of mankind is important. Our cooperation in this field is symbolised by having a Chilean as vice-chair and a Norwegian as chair of the new committee responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Madrid Convention on the Antarctic.

Chile speaks with increasing authority in the international community. Your election to the United Nations Security Council and the election of a Chilean Director General of the ILO are important examples of this. Norway looks forward to further enhancing our cooperation with Chile in UN peacekeeping efforts.

Mr President,

We have noted with great interest the remarkable economic development that you have achieved in recent years. Chile's economy has been revitalised and modernised. For years you have had one of the highest growth rates in Latin America, and have served as a model for other countries. Chile has become very competitive in the international marketplace.

This is also why new vistas have opened up for increased trade and other forms of commercial relations, like investments and the exchange of technology between our two countries. The very senior character of the commercial delegation that is accompanying me on this visit testifies to our interest in expanding our relations in this field.

Norway has a large stand at the " Expopesca", the largest fisheries fair to be arranged in Latin America. Our minister of fisheries is in Santiago this very week on an official visit for an exchange of views and information.

Chile and Norway have a common responsibility concerning environmental conservation, not least in relation to marine resources. We have developed technologies and considerable expertise in this field and we look forward to sharing this with our Chilean counterparts in the industry.

Mr President,

After the coup in 1973, several thousand Chilean nationals came to Norway. Many of them developed such close links with Norway that they chose to stay on. Their presence has given us increased knowledge and understanding of your country, and these new countrymen have made a colourful and valuable contribution to Norwegian society. We hope that those who returned to Chile took with them in their hearts a piece of Norway. We know that they left a piece of Chile behind.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like you to join me in a toast to President Frei, Madame Frei, the members of the Chilean delegation, to Chile, and to our continued cooperation and friendship.