Mr President, Your Excellencies, Dear friends,

When we met over dinner in Molde last night, together with the Prime Ministers of the other Nordic countries, you told us the following little story:

It was in the 1980s, when the ANC and the opposition had to take a very difficult decision, on whether to launch an armed struggle against the apartheid regime.

You were at a crossroads.

As leaders, you were keenly aware of the momentous issue before you.

Your decision, either way, would have enormous consequences:

For the immediate pursuit of your struggle.

And for the long-term development of the South African nation.

You explained to us that you came to Oslo, where the issue was taken up with the bishop of Oslo. Upon hearing his view, the decision was taken.

This little story illustrates how close a relationship we established between South Africa and Norway during these years.

It illustrates how natural it was for you to talk with us in confidence about difficult issues, as a part of your taking difficult decisions.

It also illustrates the privileged position we were given, when you regularly solicited our views and asked for our support.

Mr President, South Africa has a very special place in the hearts of many Norwegians.

It is an honour and a pleasure for me, therefore, to welcome you to Norway on this official visit as president of South Africa.

South Africa has a special place in my heart as well:

Like many Norwegians, I supported your struggle against apartheid.

It was a great moment when we received Nelson Mandela in Oslo in 1990, soon after he was released, and again as president three years ago.

And I have vivid memories of the visit to South Africa two years back.

We had meetings in the capital city. We also visited other parts of the country, including the KwaZulu-Natal province where Norway has long –standing traditions for missionary work.

Mr President,

During the past decade, remarkable things have happened in South Africa.

You had a peaceful transfer of power.

You have extended democracy, through national, provincial and local elections. A vibrant civil society will make sure it remains alive.

You have adopted a model constitution.

You have embraced open markets and set forth economic reforms.

You have shown the world that revolutionary change can be made peacefully, that great injustices can be redressed without revenge, and that diversity does not have to be divisive.

Your country has emerged as a global leader, after decades of domestic turmoil and international isolation.

In a time of many seemingly un-resolvable conflicts, you have set a strong example.

South Africa can speak with the moral authority that flows from the manner in which you have mastered this transition.

We are well aware that great challenges still have to be overcome.

It will take decades to overcome the human and socio-economic legacy of apartheid.

It will take decades to ensure basic health, housing, education and work for all.

But you are on your way, and what has been accomplished is the best guarantee that you will continue to make the right choices.

Mr President,

Today the nations of Africa, and the whole continent, face a new and stark challenge.

Africa has over the last decade seen uneven economic growth, no real victory in the campaign against poverty, armed conflicts – that have taken a terrible toll in human suffering, and a devastating spread of infectious disease.

Africa runs the risk of falling outside the mainstream of global development.

And this is at a moment in history where powerful forces of globalisation are opening up new opportunities.

Faced with this, South Africa, and you yourself, have pioneered the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.

NEPAD is born of a realisation that a new departure is absolutely necessary, and that there is no time to loose.

It is based on a simple truth: Without good governance and democracy, there will be no sustainable economic growth; and without economic growth, there will be no real social development and victory over poverty.

NEPAD places great responsibilities on Africa’s elected leaders.

But there is a new confidence among many Africans, which is encouraging.

You have confirmed this, as did President Chissano, when he was here two weeks ago.

The Nordic Prime Ministers yesterday confirmed their strong support for NEPAD.

We will work with you and develop this new partnership.

As you work to strengthen African ownership, among leaders and across African societies, we will be NEPADs international advocates.

It is all too easy to see the path that must not be taken.

Lack of respect for basic democratic process and human rights has brought Zimbabwe to the brink.

The country is divided. The economy is in free fall. Hunger is a very real prospect in what was an African breadbasket.

And there is a risk of economic and human fall-out that may seriously affect neighbours and the region as a whole. I appreciate our discussion of the situation in Zimbabwe, and our meeting of minds.

Mr President,

The bilateral relationship between Norway and South Africa is expanding. Economic and commercial co-operation is on the rise, as well as tourism and contacts between organisations and peoples of different walks of life.

This is part of a matured relationship, that will form the basis of the kind of partnerships you foresee with NEPAD.

It will reflect shared mutual interests.

And it will be nourished by a recognition of destinies that we all share, as our nations walk on paths that are new to us all, into a new millennium.

May I ask you all to raise your glasses in a toast to the President of South Africa, and to the friendship between the peoples of our two countries.