Opening words:

Excellencies, Deputy Presiding Officer, colleagues, parliamentarians, ladies and gentlemen…..

On behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers I wish you a warm welcome to this seminar on co-operation in the West Nordic sphere. The Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive has shown great interest in the work of the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers, and I will use this opportunity to express my gratitude for your help in hosting this seminar here in beautiful Edinburg.

And dear Mr. Georg Reid, a special thank you for your kind words and enthusiastic approach in opening this seminar. I must say we feel honoured knowing that you have given us the opportunity to have our discussions in the Debating Chamber while your Committees had to find other places for their meetings today. Thank you for your hospitality!

One dare say that the co-operation between our regions was greater centuries ago than it is today. This we can see clearly if we look upon similarities in our languages and way of everyday life. And there are strong historical ties between us. My forefathers looted and sacked the British Isles, attracted by the wealth of the monasteries and treasures to be found. By the end of the 9 ^th> century, the Vikings started to settle in Scotland – it seemed that the Scots and the Norsemen had something in common. This was, however, not the end of the raids. But eventually in the year 1283 princess Margaret of Scotland married King Eirik Magnusson. The seal was set on the peace treaty between Scotland and Norway, and a friendly relationship was finally established after four centuries of war and strife.

The friendly historic links continued into modern times, including those that were forged in the Second World War.

Today our countries share many common interests and face the same challenges of a Europe in transition and adjustment to globalisation. We have a lot in common in the way we approach these challenges and we both believe in co-operation and dialogue, in the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the promotion of democracy and human rights.

For historical, cultural and geographical reasons, our relations today should encompass every field of human endeavour and activity, and every level of society. The North Sea is not a barrier; it should serve as a channel of communication bringing us closer together. In my view both sides will benefit if we are able to create closer links and learn more from each other in facing our common challenges.

Although you sometime may approach matters from a different perspective in the United Kingdom and Ireland than we do i the Nordic Countries, we should come together to seek co-operation.

The Nordic Council of Ministers will look into possibilities for mutual co-operation with Scotland and other part of the British Isles.

We have already gained very good experience in the field of cultural co-operation during the last 2-3 years in a common project called Network North that will be highlighted during this morning session.

During 50 years of Nordic co-operation a great deal has been achieved, and of course, we are happy and proud to share our experience with you. I can assure you that the Nordic countries feel the same desire to listen to what you have found to be useful, for example in your activities to build what you call Good governance in the 21. Century.

In this respect, we look upon this seminar as a good opportunity. During the discussions to come I trust we will get ideas and fuel for further discussions and common activities. I know that there already are contacts between the Nordic Council and the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentarian body, and perhaps such links can also be made on ministerial level in the future.

Once again, I thank the Presiding Officer in the Parliament for hosting us today and many thanks to Deputy First Minister in the Scottish Executive Mr. Jim Wallace who has given this seminar great support. I also want to express my gratitude to all officials both in the parliament and within the executive for collaborating in a very active and efficient way in organising this seminar. The Norwegian Consulate General in Edinburgh has also been instrumental in the preparations.

This far, I dare say, it would seem that we have been successful. Your presence here today bodes well, and we look forward to your active participation in the coming discussions.