President Herzog, Dr. Späth, Dr. Bergmann, Dear guests,

When I took office last Friday, my staff presented me with a suggested programme for this week.

I had to clean up parts of it.

But this event I did not want to miss.

The bonds between Norway and Germany are old and close. They run deep in all our relations. I am pleased by this opportunity to pay tribute to our friendship and partnership.

I am honoured that former president Herzog is visiting Oslo. Mr. President, we remember your successful state visit to Norway two years ago. It testified to the quality of Norwegian-German relations.

You are a most welcome guest in our country.

It is a pleasure for me to recognise so many people present here today that I used to work with in my former capacities.

Energy and natural gas are vital resources. And they at the core of our relations.

Our host, Ruhrgas, is a partner providing Europe with natural gas. But more than that. Ruhrgas is a key player in developing Norwegian-German relations.

In 1977, deliveries of natural gas were made through the first pipeline to the Continent. And Ruhrgas – the largest buyer of Norwegian gas – has contributed to developing our production and transport systems for natural gas.

Energy resources are key. Yet, the most important resource is people and their potential. I stressed this when I presented the statement of my government to Parliament this morning: Knowledge is tomorrow’s capital.

People with knowledge develop technology. People with knowledge innovate, move forward and are the drivers of change.

This is the challenge that Ruhrgas has met through its broad-range activities.

I want to commend you on your work in Norway. What we do together goes beyond the mere trade in natural gas.

Tonight, we focus on the scholarship programme.

About one thousand young and talented students have benefitted from the Ruhrgas programmes over a period of 15 years. You are showing the way. You are investing in knowledge.

These one thousand scholarships have made it possible for Norwegian economists, historians and lawyers to spend a year at German institutions of higher learing. Today, many of them hold important positions in our societies.

They help ensure that future generations of Norwegians are familiar with the German language and culture.

They contribute to the flourishing relations between Norway and Germany.

Ruhrgas has decided to continue its programmes for new scholars to enjoy. For that we are extremely grateful.

My government will further our efforts in invigorating Norway’s relations with Germany. In our Strategy for Germany, the Ruhrgas activities are an integral part.

We share interests and share political values. My government will pursue that effort with vigour and enthusiasm.

Norway benefits, as does indeed the EU, from the close co-operation stemming from the Agreement on the European Economic Area. We respect our obligations under the Agreement, and we enjoy the strength of the political ties between my country and Germany.

I look forward to meeting with Chancellor Schröder on an early occasion. Last time we met, we both held different positions. At the core of our discussions was energy, Europe and bilateral relations. Positions change. Our ambitions remain the same. As allies we share strategic interests and concerns.

This is the foundation on which my government will further our relations.

In 1997, the exhibition Die Wahlverwandschaft Skandinavien und Deutschland, covering the period 1800 until 1914, was shown in Berlin, and the following year in Oslo.

A large number of visitors sought inspiration from the historic links between the Nordic countries and Germany.

The very term Wahlverwandschaft – a relation of one’s own free choice – is a good description of our common roots and bonds.

It is in this spirit that I enjoy meeting you here. And it is in this spirit that I look forward to furthering the co-operation between our two countries.

My thanks go to the organisers on this important occasion, in these illustrious surroundings. It was no coincidence that Edvard Munch was inspired and spent years of his life in Germany.

Culture and art give an extra meaning to our lives and trigger our creativity.

This is the inspiring message from this event.