The award of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to former President Jimmy Carter is a most welcome recognition of the immense personal contribution made by a man of peace. Openness, tolerance and integrity have been emblematic of Jimmy Carter’s untiring efforts in the cause of peace throughout his life.

It was Jimmy Carter’s efforts that inspired the Camp David agreement between Egypt and Israel, which led to the Nobel Prize being given to President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin in 1978. Since Camp David, his life and work have been primarily dedicated to conflict resolution and the promotion of human rights.

With his standing and reputation as an impartial champion of peace, Jimmy Carter has had access to important processes and individuals all over the world. With his quiet but determined diplomacy and his deep commitment to human values, he has been an influential advocate of human rights, democracy and human dignity for peoples and nations in many parts of the world.

The Carter Center, which is celebrating its 20 ^th> anniversary this year, has developed a broad international network of contacts and cooperation, among others with Norwegian NGOs and government bodies. The Centre has been an important tool in the activities for which Jimmy Carter has now been awarded the Peace Prize.

- This year’s Peace Prize is an unequivocal expression our deep gratitude to those individuals who devote their lives to the service of peace, said Foreign Minister Petersen.