Dinner speech to Thailand's Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-Archa

Mr. Prime Minister, Mrs. Banharn Silpa-Archa, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, Mr. Prime Minister, I would like to express my sincere appreciation of the generous words you have just extended to my country and to me personally.

It is a great honour to be your official guest and to be able to pay my respects to Thailand in the year of the Golden Jubilee, the grand celebration marking the 50th Anniversary of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol.

Thailand is Norway's oldest partner in Asia. Our inter-state relations, always characterized by mutual respect, trust and friendliness, date back to the beginning of the century. You have shown a remarkable willingness to engage the outside world and pursue open-door policies. You have also managed to escape colonialism, as well as the upheavals that have plagued Southeast Asia since decolonization began.

In 1905, the Thai government gave a quick and favourable response to the overtures of a new Norway eagerly seeking international recognition and diplomatic links as a sovereign nation. In 1907, King Chulalongkorn became the first Asian head of state to visit independent Norway. His Majesty's impressions of my country, recorded in a fascinating travel diary, are just now being published in Oslo under the title "Travelogue from Norway". Ever since King Chulalongkorn's journey to the land of the midnight sun, there has been regular contact between the Thai and Norwegian Royal Families.

Over the last three decades, we have witnessed a steady growth in the frequency and versatility of contacts between our two countries. Increased tourism is but one aspect of this. In 1995, some 25.000 Norwegians, most of them tourists, visited Thailand. Some members of my staff have vacationed here, and they still rave about the beauty and cultural riches of "Prathet Thai" or "Land of the Free".

Located at the crossroads of important land and maritime trade routes, enjoying one of the world's fastest growing economies, and serving as ASEAN's springboard for the development of Indochina, Thailand is also an attractive market for Norwegian business. Trade between our two countries increased by more than 100 percent from 1990 to 1995. Some 30 Norwegian companies now have branch offices in Thailand. As a reflection of the evolving economic partnership, a separate Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce was established in Bangkok earlier this year.

Norsk Hydro, a world leader in fertilizers and the flagship of Norway's own industrial development, is a company of long standing in Thailand. The same is true of Jotun, which is now building a new paint factory outside Bangkok, and Norconsult, which offers a variety of engineering and telecommunications services. The Norwegian state oil company, Statoil, has been in Thailand for more than a decade and is currently involved in several gass projects in the Gulf of Siam. Kværner Energy is one of several Norwegian companies with a proven track record in Thailand and Indochina when it comes to building hydroelectric power stations.

The companies that I have mentioned, as well as the other 25 accompanying me on this visit, have all made strategic decisions about long-term involvement in Thailand. They are ready to invest in both physical and human capital, providing their local partners with training and opportunities which, in turn, will benefit your country. These companies represent state-of-the-art technologies and management principles which are there for you to share.

Thailand is in the midst of an economic transition from labour-intensive industries towards a more complex economy. Thailand is also confronted with difficult choices of growth and sustainability, making sure that economic performance does not overburden resources already under strain. Norway wants to be one of your partners in this transition. We believe that you will manage the transition better and more effectively if you make use of what Norway and other European countries have to offer.

We can assist you in realizing the goals of Thailand's Eight National Economic and Social Development Plan, which emphasizes investments in human and physical infrastructure. As the experience of my own country shows, increased education is key to further development. In meeting the challenge of globalization, it makes eminent sense to focus on knowledge as the ultimate resource and the human mind as an important engine of growth and change.

Putting people first also means fighting poverty and other social ills, such as the exploitation of children in the work place or by the reprehensible sex industry. We will continue to support your efforts to eradicate these problems, as will international organizations like UNICEF and ILO.

Thailand is a respected conciliator in world affairs, conducting its business in a constructive, pragmatic and low-key manner. We are partners in the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation.

Thailand has been a source of relative stability in a highly troubled region. Over the years, many people fleeing war or civil strife in neighbouring countries have sought refuge here. You have provided a safe haven and served as a beacon of hope, notwithstanding the fact that the inflow of refugees has caused both political headaches and financial distress. Norway has been among the countries helping you shoulder this burden, and I am proud of the way in which we have been cooperating.

We expect Thailand to play an equally important role in turning the former battlefields of Southeast Asia into a common market. With the notable exception of Myanmar, the poorer countries of the region all seem to be emulating the open-door policies which have served the original six ASEAN members so well. This is an encouraging development which should help usher in an era of commerce, prosperity and stability in Southeast Asia.

Thailand has also been instrumental in strengthening the important dialogue between Europe and Asia, hosting the first ever ASEM summit here in Bangkok in March. I congratulate you, Prime Minister Banharn, on the success of this summit.

Like the countries of the EU, Norway is also interested in expanded cooperation with Thailand and the countries of Southeast Asia. Together with the Norwegian business community, my government has developed a strategic plan for deepened cooperation with Asia in the economic, political and cultural fields. You will see that broad perspective reflected in the composition of my delegation, which also includes representatives of Norwegian NGOs, as well as the author Jostein Gaarder.

I am particularly glad to acknowledge his presence here tonight. Jostein Gaarder is the author of "Sophie's World", a history of philosophy and the world's best selling fiction title in 1995. By bringing Mr. Gaarder to Bangkok and presenting "Sophie's World" to Thai readers we build new bridges between Norway and Thailand and between Europe and Asia.

Mr. Prime Minister,

The purpose of my visit is to foster closer political, economic and cultural contact between Norway and Thailand. There are more bridges to build and we can build them together.

I would like to propose a toast to you, Mr. Prime Minister, and to the future relations between our two countries.