The Norwegian Foreign Minister, Thorbjørn Jagland, underlined in the Norwegian Parliament Thursday his government’s full and unequivocal support for the United States after the horrendous terrorist attacks committed against American cities.

Norway was yesterday part of the unanimous decision in the NATO council to declare that, given that it is determined that the attack was directed from abroad, it is to be regarded as an attack against all members of the alliance in accordance with Article 5 in the Washington Treaty.

- The collective security commitment in NATO is, and has always been, a cornerstone of Norwegian security policy, Mr. Jagland said.

- During 52 years of the NATO membership we have based our defence on the firm assumption that our allies would support us if our security and territorial sovereignty came under attack.. The NATO Council decision is a strong statement of Alliance solidarity with the United States, and Norway stands ready to take part in alliance consultations about possible collective responses if such consultations are called by the United States, underlines Mr. Jagland.

- The attack on the US is an attack on all open and democratic societies, Mr. Jagland says, and to counter and combat such outrageous terrorist acts is going to be one of the main challenges confronting NATO in the years to come. All alliance members must be ready to play its part in this common endeavour.