Opening of Norway House in Brussels

Opening address by State Secretary Elisabeth Walaas on behalf Jonas Gahr Støre, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 

Your Royal Highness,
President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering,
Distinguished guests,

A building is more than bricks, glass, cables, paint and equipment.

A building houses the people working there. Meetings, notes, emails, press conferences, discussions – and visions.

My country has had its mission to the EU and its embassy to Belgium in this building since 1970. Now it is the property of the Norwegian state.

The location of the building is just perfect. Approximately 32 metres separate Ambassador Sletnes’ desk from President Barroso’s corner office.

More than 6000 Norwegians visit this building every year. MPs, businesspeople, representatives of NGOs, schoolchildren, countrymen and –women from all walks of life. They know that Brussels is the centre of Europe.

And all our European partners, colleagues and MEPs will always be given a warm reception in this house. A piece of Norway in the capital of Europe.

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The process of designing and construction requires cooperation and patience. I would like to thank the owner, Statsbygg – which has been responsible for refurbishing this building – and the architects Hille Melby Arkitekter AS and interior architect Linda Evensen. You have done a great job! I would also like to thank Dag Terje Arnesen Trio for adding new sounds to the building.

Thanks also to the Norwegian companies, Hydro, HydroStatoil, Statskraft, EBL and the regional offices of West and South Norway for the contributions you have made to this event.

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Although Norway is not a member of the EU, we seek to contribute to the European agenda.

This morning I spoke before a knowledgeable audience at the European Policy Centre. My topic was the Arctic, truly part of our common future. We are currently charting the future development of that vast, resource-rich area, where we also see the effects of climate change and the melting of the Arctic ice cap.

Norway has a close partnership with the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area and related agreements. We contribute to social and economic cohesion in Europe, to the single market, and to foreign and security policy initiatives and we work side by side with our EU partners in Afghanistan, the Balkans and the Middle East.

I now have the pleasure of inviting you to take a tour of the building, particularly the 10th floor and the ambassadors’ offices on the floor below. I hope you will enjoy the Norwegian fish and meat dishes that are being served with beverages in this room, as well as on the 5th to 10th floors, with the exception of the 7th, which is closed off.

May Norway House be an efficient meeting-place for all, and an inspiring venue for continued close partnership and for realising our European visions.

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You will now have the pleasure of listening to one of Norway’s famous jazz bands. Two years ago, three of Norway’s most acclaimed jazz musicians interpreted works by Edvard Grieg, as well as traditional Norwegian folk music. Last fall, this was followed by the CD “Norwegian Song 2”, a great success with its blend of Norwegian folk music and jazz. Now, you can hear for yourselves – Dag Arnesen, piano, Terje Gewelt, double bass and Pål Thowsen, drums – Dag Arnesen Trio.