Ladies and gentlemen,

I have been in South Korea in a private capacity on several occasions. I have learnt to appreciate your country and its people.

It feels good to be back.

And it is an honour to be the first Norwegian prime minister to pay an official visit to Seoul.

Norway and the Republic of Korea have a history of excellent bilateral relations. That common history harbours mutual understanding and respect. During the last few years our relations have developed rapidly. Today, we enjoy a strong political and commercial partnership.

I have through the years had that particular privilege to work with President Kim Dae-jung. When we met in Oslo last month during the celebrations marking the 100 ^th> anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize, I emphasised that his prize the year before had brought our two nations even closer together.

To many Norwegians your country is closely associated with the word ‘peace.’

The Nobel anniversary in Oslo coincided with the war in Afghanistan, and the year 2001 will be remembered for the 11 ^th> of >September.

That date, which will live in infamy, as President Franklin Roosevelt said of another event many years ago, tells us that security, peace and stability require our attention and demand action.

We also face world-wide economic challenges.

Alleviating poverty is essential to peace. Promoting economic growth is a vital tool in those efforts.

Our challenges are global. They call for global solutions. They call for further cooperation in international organisations.

Norway and South Korea are close partners in multilateral fora like the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and the OECD.

Here, we come together with other nations to seek those solutions that the world demands.

Last year’s WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha was a milestone. It will pave the way for the further liberalisation of world trade, under common rules and obligations.

That will benefit all nations.

We look forward to a fruitful cooperation with Korean authorities in the new round of WTO negotiations.

As Doha reminded us, governmental and intergovernmental action creates the framework for business.

That is a privilege. But it is a great responsibility.

In my work, I do not shrink from that responsibility.

I welcome it.

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Norway and South Korea are geographically far apart. Yet our economic relations are growing steadily closer.

I welcome that our trade relations have developed so positively. Korea has become one of Norway's major trading partners in Asia. In the year 2000 our bilateral trade peaked, up almost 370 per cent since 1994.

Although last year saw a slight setback, the prospects are bright. Such an impressive gathering of Norwegian and Korean business representatives as here today is a clear sign.

I will sincerely thank the four Korean business organisations for creating such a fruitful meeting place.

The Korean-Norwegian Economic Cooperation Committee (KNECC) has been a key instrument in our bilateral efforts. The Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry and the Federation of Korean Industries formalised that bilateral business cooperation more than 20 years ago.

My country’s government and the Korean government have established an equally important instrument for bilateral economic dialogue, the Joint Economic Committee.

The second meeting of that committee will take place later today.

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Gathered here, we will share interests and discuss comparative advantages. We will pave the way for further collaboration.

We have much to gain from strengthening existing commercial partnerships. And we will develop new ones.

That is also one of the main purposes of my visit to South Korea.

The tremendous skill and efficiency of the Korean people has created strong economic growth.

Norway has much to learn from you, and we have much to gain.

Perhaps, we also have something to offer.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are gathered here this afternoon because we share a belief – a belief in the further development of economic relations between Norway and Korea.

You are in the best position to identify concrete opportunities. You will have to transfer them into a successful partnership.

Today, we will be part of an effort to promote dialogue, partnerships and business. The topics will be energy, the maritime sector and seafood.

They represent key Norwegian sectors. They are sectors where we see scope for further cooperation with South Korea.

One and a half years ago, I was invited to Korea to attend the reunion of families from the South and the North, a fruit of President Kim Dae-jung’s efforts.

I was deeply moved.

During my visit this month, I further strengthen my own and my Government’s commitment to expanding our relations.

I appreciate that opportunity.

And I will follow your work with interest. I wish you good luck.

Thank you for your attention.