- The Nobel Committee could not have made a better choice for its award of the 100 ^th> Nobel Peace Prize. I am very pleased at the award of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2001 to the United Nations and its Secretary-General Kofi Annan. I cannot imagine more deserving candidates. And this is even more applicable in the difficult international situation we are facing today, said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

The Prime Minister also stated that the United Nations and Secretary-General Kofi Annan are laureates that will have a unifying effect in this centenary year of the Peace Prize. “This is an important point given the current situation,” commented Mr. Stoltenberg.

- The award of the prize is an acknowledgement that we need a strong and effective UN if we are to win the struggle for peace and security and the fight against poverty and for social justice. The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the UN is also a recognition of the work UN employees are doing throughout the world, said the Prime Minister.

- The UN is essential if we are to win the fight against international terrorism. The Security Council and Mr. Annan himself are at the forefront of this fight because terrorism is an attack on the fundamental right of every individual to live in peace and security, which is at the very heart of the UN Charter. Mr. Annan has pointed out that repairing the damage that terrorism inflicts on international relations, and restoring trust between the different peoples and cultures, are major tasks, said Mr. Stoltenberg.

The Prime Minister said that in the five years of Mr. Annan’s leadership of the UN, he has given the organization new strength, broad support and legitimacy. He added that the Report from the Millennium Assembly is both a visionary and a concrete programme for global security and development.

- The UN has always enjoyed broad support in Norway, and this also applies to Kofi Annan personally. We saw this in the warm reception he was given in western Norway and Oslo this August, said the Prime Minister.

- As Secretary-General Mr. Annan enjoys broad support among UN member states in all parts of the world, and is a unifying figure. The Peace Prize is a declaration of support for his efforts to strengthen the UN in order to meet the challenges of the new century, said Mr. Stoltenberg.

- Since it was founded in 1945, the UN has had fundamental significance for Norway. A strong and effective UN, with credibility and broad support, is essential for peace and security, for winning the fight against poverty and for better governance in an increasingly globalized world, said Prime Minister Stoltenberg.