Mr. Chairman,

Thank you Secretary General.

And thank you for guiding the Alliance with your steady hand, at a time when we open a new page in our relations with Russia.

Thank you, Prime Minister Berlusconi, for hosting this historic summit. May I also pay tribute to all those who have contributed to the historic document we are about to sign.]

For years, we have been saying that genuine security in Europe can only become a reality if NATO and Russia join forces, and work together. In signing the Rome Declaration, we make good on that pledge.

I strongly welcome the establishment of the NATO Russia Council. It gives us an effective instrument for building a stable, peaceful and undivided Europe. And it opens for the integration of Russia, as an equal partner in the Euro-Atlantic family.

I strongly welcome the decisions taken by Presidents Bush and Putin on major nuclear arms reductions. At a crucial juncture, facing the threat of terrorism on an unprecedented scale – you have demonstrated true leadership.

I strongly welcome your dedication, President Putin, to engage Russia in an ever-closer co-operative relationship with your European and Atlantic partners.

Secretary General,
Ours is the world of innovation and fast changes. Looking back though, in a historical perspective, it is nothing less than a miracle, that in a course of a decade we have bridged the gap and come this far.

Mr. Chairman,
Norway and Russia are neighbours in the High North. We share an important and broad bilateral agenda:

Energy, marine resources, environment, security.

I am confident that our work in the new NATO-Russia Council, based on openness, trust and confidence, will have a positive impact on this agenda as well.

Nuclear safety is one issue. New security threats have made this more important than ever. We will continue working with Russia in efforts for safe disposal and storage of nuclear related material.

Secretary General
With the NATO Russia Council we have been given a unique, new opportunity. It is now for us to seize it, and make it a continuing success-story.

NATO – Russia co-operation will yield benefits from day one. But even more, we will reap great benefits in the longer term, as shared security – and the Spirit of Rome - becomes not only our vision, but our reality.