Dinner Speech to Prime Minister Ivica Racan of Croatia

I am honoured and pleased to welcome you, Prime Minister Račan, on this first visit of Croatia’s Prime Minister to Norway.

I am also pleased that your’s is the first visit to Oslo of a fellow Prime Minister, since I took office again as Prime Minister, last month.

Croatia is young as an independent state, but it is an old nation. Croats have made themselves known across Europe throughout the centuries.

Let me give you one example, curious perhaps - but interesting. It is no doubt well known to you, but perhaps not to the Norwegians here tonight.

The necktie all gentlemen wear, is based on a Croat tradition, and Croat influence. Croat cavalry in the armies of the French Monarch Louis XIII brought with them their flourishing neckties. Hence the French “Cravate”, from Croat. The ties we wear today have their origin in the originally Croat, and then French, cravate.

The French obviously must have found you in fashion already at the time !

But this illustrates - in its little way - how all European nations and peoples, through centuries of trade, travel, peace and war, together have woven the great and varied tapestry, which is the continent of Europe.

We all share in Europe’s history.

And we all share the responsibility for Europe’s future.

Mr Prime Minister,

I am pleased to say that Norway and Croatia have developed good relations since independence, and close contacts over the last two years in particular.

Your government took office after winning the elections at the beginning of 1999. You have pursued a clear programme of economic and political reform.

I know myself that it is not always easy to see through reforms or implement changes. We are impressed by what you have accomplished in a short time.

You government has worked to develop broad co-operation with the European Union, and to bring Croatia into Euro-Atlantic security structures and NATO’s Partnership for Peace.

Norway welcomes your efforts, and highly appreciates your contributions.

My government strongly supports the efforts for increased and intensified co-operation across Europe. This is true in all areas, and it is true in the security domain.

After the attack on the United States on September 11, we are engaged in a common effort to combat international terrorism. We discussed this earlier today, and I am pleased that we see eye to eye also on this urgent issue.

Mr Prime Minister,

Count Metternich - is reputed to once have said, that “Asia begins on the Landstrasse”. Landstrasse was and is on the immediate outskirts of Vienna.

Metternich, with the Hapsburg capital as his viewpoint, considered all he saw towards the East and the South of Vienna as a part of Asia, and thus foreign to Europe. The Croatian lands, of course, were included in this.

I believe you are in the process of proving the old Austrian nobleman wrong !

The policies you have followed since taking office less than two years ago have brought you back into the political Europe – and with great strides.

During our talks earlier this afternoon you also underlined Croatia’s wish to work closely with the nations in the region. I noted your saying, - Regional Co-operation yes, Regional Destiny , no.

South-Europe is gradually overcoming the destructive nationalism and conflicts of the last decade. You have worked to establish close relations and co-operation with your neighbours on a new footing. This is so important for the region, and for all of Europe.

Please join me in a toast to the Prime Minister of Croatia and our guests, and to friendship and close relations between our two nations.