Dinner speech to NATO's Secretary General Willy Claes

Mr. Secretary General and Mrs. Suzanne Claes, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great honour to welcome the new Secretary General of NATO and his wife to Norway. Willy Claes is not only an astute, - experienced politician. He is also a friend. Many Norwegians including myself have known you for many years and we look forward to working with you in your new capacity.

This castle is a most appropriate setting for receiving the Secretary General of NATO. We Norwegians regard the castle which is 700 years old as a symbol of the independence and integrity of our nation. This spring we will be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the liberation of Norway. For Norwegians, this historic is symbolized by the historic photo of a Norwegian officer taking back the command of Akershus after five years of occupation in 1945. Since then, the Castle has served as a venue for allies and friends, largely due to the role played by NATO in securing for Europe the longest period of peace in modern history.

Historically speaking, defence alliances do not generally outlive their enemies. NATO, however, has not only outlived the Cold War, but is at the forefront of the shaping of a new security architecture in Europe. NATO is proving that it is not merely a defence alliance. It is a voluntary alliance of nations committed to shared principles of freedom and democracy.

For nearly half a century, generations of Europeans lived in fear of global confrontation and mass destruction. As we approach the new century we are able to put that fear behind us, well aware of how much we owe to NATO solidarity and to allied determination.

There is still a long way to go, however, to achieve lasting peace and stability in Europe. We are facing years of uncertainty and unpredictability as we strive to build the new security order in a changing world. But the new challenges do not alter the fundamental reality that the NATO allies still need each other. The challenges ahead are different, but they are still common to us all.

NATO and the trans-Atlantic partnership are indispensable for Norway and the mainstay of Norwegian security policy. At the NATO summit a year ago we confirmed that a strong transatlantic link is the bedrock of NATO. It is an expression of a shared destiny. Without America, Europe's role is incomplete. Without Europe, America's path will be lonely.

Our challenge now is to focus on common necessities as we previously did on common fears. We are well underway in this endeavour. In your own words,"a formidable and enduring characteristic of the Alliance is its adaptability." We have embarked upon a process of reform in which we must maintain the core functions of security for members while taking on new missions to enhance the stability of Europe.

Previously we focused on war prevention. Now we have to add on the new and complex challenges from peace keeping. The experience in former Yugoslavia shows us how difficult and resource intensive such operations can be. But at the same time, our readiness to respond to calls from the UN and the OSCE is essential for European peace and stability.

Our main task today is to project stability eastwards, and in that context, to develop new and trustful relations with Russia, not least through "Partnership for Peace".

We have also begun to address the issue of NATO enlargement, as a means of helping Europe to grow together after decades of division and growing apart. We must manage this evolutionary process wisely, safeguarding the core functions of our defence capacity. We do not wish to offer membership of a weakened alliance.

Today, Russia does not pose any direct military threat to its neighbours. But the instability of the political situation represents a new kind of threat that we cannot ignore. The war in Chechnya is a dramatic illustration of the potential for conflict, with its unacceptable massive violations of the most fundamental human rights.

Norway has lived in peace with neighbouring Russia for a thousand years. It is in the interest of the Alliance that Russia be integrated into binding multilateral cooperation with the stable democratic zone in Europe. For years to come the risk of chaos in our immediate vicinity are greater than the risk of organized Russian moves against the interests of the West.

Through regional cooperation in the North, we now have the opportunity to pave the way for a true partnership in the Barents region. In this endeavour, we need the continued backing of our North American and European Allies and partners. We cannot close our eyes to the fact that Russia is still the most powerful military power in Europe. Peace and stability in the North still require the full attention of the Alliance, both as a buffer against future uncertainties and a counterbalance to the military disequilibrium in Northern Europe.

Now that the Cold War is a thing of the past, Europe will have to assume a greater share of the responsibility for its own security and its own defence. We have agreed to this and Norway is prepared to contribute accordingly. We need to use the whole range of political and economic means available to us through the collective efforts of NATO, the WEU and the European Union.

The accession of our Nordic neigbours to the European Union will contribute to stability in Northern Europe by giving the common foreign and security policy a stronger Northern dimension. In your former capacity you became well acquainetd with our bid for membership of the European Union. You know that Norway's decision not to join was not a sign of a changing foreign and security policy. We are still an integral part of the European market through the EEA Agreement. We are still a reliable NATO ally. And we will actively explore the opportunities and assume our share of the burdens as an associated member of the WEU.

Dear Willy,

Your message when taking over as Secretary General was that the historic mission of the Alliance is not over yet. You can remain certain that Norway will stand by and provide support in your efforts to keep NATO were it belongs - at the centre of the evolving Euro-Atlantic security architecture. In this spirit, I propose a toast to the new Secretary General and Mrs. Claes, to our continued friendship, and to the Alliance.

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