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Mr Chairman, colleagues and friends,

The Madrid Conference 15 years ago did not create peace. But it gave hope. And it led the way towards peace. Against a background of a Gulf war it brought key regional parties together. What started in Madrid had lasting effects on the political map of the Middle East.

As we look at the region today, the picture is even gloomier than the one we were facing 15 years ago. To meet these challenges we need to set a regional agenda. We need to repeat the method of Madrid.

This is why I was happy to initiate the preparations for this conference with my Spanish colleague, Miguel Moratinos; and this is why the Norwegian Government has supported the organisation of the Madrid + 15 conference together with Spain, Denmark and Sweden. We all share the belief that we need a new engagement.

I would also like to commend our dedicated research institutions for putting so much effort into preparing for this event.

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For various reasons some parties to the wider Middle Eastern conflicts are absent from this gathering. We should recall that a prerequisite for peace is that all parties are stakeholders; we must seek to engage countries as well as key groups.

Key to the Madrid method is engagement.

We should recall that engagement does not mean tolerating obstructionism and extremism. We condemn violence and terrorism. We expect countries and groups in the region to live up to their international obligations and to abide by international law. We object to occupation and illegal settlements.

Engagement means exploring opportunities for finding a new path towards peace and security for the people in the Middle East.

As always, there will be those who fear change and moderation, those who seek to bring engagement to an end. The history of the Middle East is full of examples of this. The challenge will be to deny them the right of veto when peaceful and constructive approaches become a viable possibility.

Mr Chairman,

The main legacy of Madrid 15 years ago was not a comprehensive peace accord. It was rather the creation of an enabling environment. The rest of the 1990s saw progress and breakthrough. A spirit of negotiation. The Oslo Accords. Peace between Israel and Jordan. What was close to peace between Israel and Syria. And, despite dire setbacks, real steps forward in relations between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Then the atmosphere changed around 2000. Now, as we enter 2007, and despite the Road Map and the various plans, we can hardly speak of a viable peace process.

Now, 15 years after the first Madrid conference, another war is waging in Iraq. We can only hope that we will see an end to the violence and a gradual resumption of a sustainable political process. We need to acknowledge that the solution must be a political one – inside Iraq – supported by its neighbours and the international community.

One after another, what started as separate conflicts in an extended Middle Eastern region are becoming increasingly linked together – from the Horn of Africa all the way to Afghanistan. Each conflict needs to be addressed on its own merits.

But in addition we also need to take a regional approach. We should hold open the possibility of a new formal regional conference supported by the international community. We need to take account of new dimensions such as increased religious influence, Iran's role and ambitions, the fight against terrorism and the issue of nuclear proliferation.

Time does not allow me to comment on each conflict now. But here in Madrid we will have ample time to discuss them.

I still believe that the Israeli–Palestinian conflict continues to be a key challenge in achieving peace throughout the Middle East. We need to break the cycle of violence. Here too, there is no military solution. It can only be political. It is crucial that the parties engage in dialogue. Dialogue is not a sign of weakness. Dialogue is the difficult and brave choice, as Prime Minister Rabin and Chairman Arafat demonstrated on the lawn of the White House after Oslo.

It was a brave act of President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert to come together last month. But if this potential new start is to come to anything, the people they represent must see the benefit in terms of a commitment to concrete follow-up of results.

Here in Madrid we are pledging to lend our support. In the present context, the countries in the region are the main stakeholders. But the Quartet and other international actors are also stakeholders. The true role of the Quartet should be to weigh in with real efforts to support and even initiate a process. We wish to see them play that role. And as we speak I believe it is fair to say that now is the time for the Quartet to demonstrate leadership. And if the Quartet is unable to do so as a group, then the various parts should not refrain from engaging. That challenge goes in particular to the European Union.

Today the situation in the Palestine Territory is dramatic. And it may go from bad to worse. I hear Palestinian friends say that the international community should lift the siege. Let me be clear: speaking for Norway, we have no desire to see the Palestinian Territory under siege. We stand by the vision of a viable Palestinian state, and we pledge our support to assist you in getting there. We wish to see success in the Palestinian attempt to agree on a political platform that can open the road to greater internal unity and real negotiations for peace. We stand ready to respond.

But if there is to be any such process, let us be realistic: The United States has to engage and promote a new dialogue and a new way forward. And Israel has to do its part to lift restrictions on the Palestinians and deliver tangible outcomes of political talks and pledges. Israel has an obvious right to safeguard its security. But Israel’s peace and security is directly linked to the prospects of Palestinian peace and security.

Mr Chairman,

The Madrid method is about engagement. There must be a diplomatic process with rights and obligations for every conflict.

In order to halt violent extremism, we must involve all parties, including non-state actors, in dialogue and responsible engagement. Failure to do so will leave the initiative in the hands of extremists and those who refuse to compromise. Groups cannot be eradicated by military force or eliminated by decree. They too need to be engaged and held responsible.

Norway is committed to work hard together with its partners in and outside the region to make peace in the Middle East a reality. We are maintaining a dialogue with all the countries and key groups that need to be engaged in the regional efforts to reduce conflict and violence. The road to renewed political efforts towards peace and security for all can only be found through strong commitment to dialogue. The brave and difficult choice.

I wish you all a successful conference. Thank you.