Luncheon speech to NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

It is a great pleasure and an honour to welcome you, Mr. Secretary General, to Norway. And it is a particular pleasure that Their Majesties The King and Queen are with us here today.

Mr. Secretary General,

You have taken up your post at a very challenging moment in NATO’s history. I would like to assure you that you will have Norway’s strong support during your term of office.

The North Atlantic Alliance is a cornerstone of Norwegian security, and indeed, Norway was one of its founding members. We will do our utmost to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same security and solidarity that we have. It is important to preserve NATO as the main forum for transatlantic cooperation on security and defence policy.

The Alliance is founded on transatlantic unity. I am confident that our Summit in Istanbul in June will reconfirm this unity. We need to maintain strong ties across the Atlantic.

Norway sees the recent enlargement of NATO as a very positive step. The seven new members will add to our strength.

Next Saturday the EU will follow suit, with the incorporation of ten new democracies. This is a historic event, which represents a definitive break with the past.

We are well on the way to realising our vision of an undivided and free Europe.

However, the recent atrocities in Madrid reminded us that terrorism is still a threat to our societies. Terrorist groups want to destroy our way of life. We must fight this menace.

Terrorists are ruthless, and they are willing to use any means at their disposal. This makes it even more urgent for us to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

Mr Secretary General,

NATO has taken on a heavy responsibility in Afghanistan. We cannot afford to fail. We must be prepared for a longlasting engagement. It will truly be a test of our will.

The elections in September will be of vital importance.

If Afghanistan and its people are to have any prospect of a better future, the country must have security and stability. This is why NATO’s engagement in Afghanistan is so important.

I can assure you that Norway is prepared for a long-term commitment in Afghanistan.

We will continue our support for the stabilisation of Afghanistan and will maintain our high level of development co-operation.

As in Afghanistan, the situation in the Balkans remains fragile.

NATO is providing security and stability in the region. This is an immensely important task.

The recent unrest in Kosovo clearly shows that we have unfinished business on our own continent. Norway will continue to make a substantial contribution to stability in the Balkans.

Mr. Secretary General,

We are also facing great challenges in the Middle East, in Central Asia and in the Caucasus. It will be important for NATO to reach out to the countries in these regions and to their people.

In these regions, the Alliance should ensure that it supplements the efforts being made by other multilateral actors, such as G8, the EU and OSCE.

This requires a strong strategic partnership between NATO, the EU and Russia. We strongly support the Summit Meetings with the EU and Russia in Istanbul. They will demonstrate our unity and resolve.

Mr Secretary General,

NATO will increasingly be involved in out-of-area operations, and these require a stronger focus on public relations. This is a responsibility for NATO, for you as Secretary General, and for each member state. We need public support in order to succeed.

Mr Secretary General,

During your time as Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, we learned to know you as a resolute and dedicated man.

You have the qualities required to steer our great Alliance in the troubled waters of today’s world and you have our full support.