Today’s opening of these shared embassy premises is yet another step forward in Nordic cooperation, of which there is a long and successful tradition.It is a practical expression of just how far the Nordic countries have come in their cooperation.

From the Norwegian perspective, the present ceremony represents above all a milestone in the development of our bilateral relationship with Slovenia, which is close and trusting, but which could and should be further developed, not least in the area of economic cooperation.

The fact that Minister Vajgl – an old Scandinavia hand - is at the helm of Slovenia’s foreign policy, bodes well for the future of the relations between Slovenia and the Nordic countries.

Slovenia has come a long way in an amazingly short time. You have every right to be proud of your achievements.

As small countries with a shared belief in and activist approach to multilateral diplomacy, we see eye to eye on most of the issues at the top of the international agenda.

Accordingly, in my view we are natural partners in international cooperation.

In the context of the North Atlantic Alliance we already cooperate closely on the resolution of the key security challenges of the day, including the fight against terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

We have been impressed with Slovenia’s leadership in areas such as humanitarian demining. We have supported the International Trust Fund in the past, and are committed to doing so in the future.

And we look forward with great confidence to Slovenia’s chairmanship of the OSCE, a position that we ourselves held a few years ago.

Unlike Slovenia, Norway is not a member of the EU. But we are part of the Schengen area. And the EEA Agreement makes us a part of the single market. We are Europeans, quite simply.

We, too, have a responsibility to contribute to a stable and prosperous future for our continent. We gladly accept that responsibility.

For example, we will contribute over the next five years some 225 million euro a year towards the bridging of social and economic gaps in the enlarged Union.

This creates new opportunities for further strengthening our bilateral relations with the new member States, including Slovenia.

And finally, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to pay tribute to Slovenia’s leadership in the process of bringing the countries of the Western Balkans and others closer to the EU, thereby further expanding the European zone of stability and prosperity.

The establishment of the EU Support Centre is impressive testimony to Slovenia’s dedication and determination in this regard.

Historically, Norway has strong ties to the Western Balkans. Over the last decade, we have maintained a strong engagement in the region. Sharing Slovenia’s view that the job is not yet done, we will continue to do so, politically as well as economically.

Here, too, there would appear to be a significant potential for cooperation, bilaterally and in the context of international organizations.

On this note, let me conclude by congratulating the three ambassadors and wishing them every success in the future.