Opening remarks at seminar: Norwegian-Armenian cooperation in small-scale hydropower

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Dear Minister, Rector, representatives of civil society and business, dear friends, 

• It is an honour for me to visit Armenia and it is a pleasure for me to address you here today. We are launching an important cooperation project between our two countries. Energy supply, energy security, is on our agenda.
• My country knows well the importance and potential of hydropower. Hydropower lies at the foundation of Norway’s industrial development, and accounts for almost all of our electricity production.
• Hydropower plays an important role in our energy supply, with about 60% of Norway’s total energy consumption covered by renewable energy. 
• Over a time span of generations, Norway has acquired considerable experience in many areas of hydropower development:

predictable and transparent rules,

an open market system

an appropriate tax regime,

together with the essential human factor, such as highly competent engineers and managers.

All these areas play a crucial role in facilitating successful growth.

• Armenia has created a favourable regulatory framework for the development of small-scale hydropower. I hope that this Norwegian–Armenian cooperation will contribute to environmentally friendly and efficient natural resources management in the further development of the hydropower sector in this country.
• Economic growth must always be based on sustainable use of resources.
• I also welcome the emphasis in this project on transparency and public participation. I am very pleased that Armenia has ratified the Aarhus Convention. Through this cooperation, Armenia is taking further steps towards full public access to environmental information and participation in decision making.
• Transparency is also important for both local and foreign investors.
• The bilateral relations between Norway and Armenia are good, and there is scope for more cooperation between our countries. Later today, I will visit Yerevan State University, which cooperates with the University of Bergen on a programme on environmental microbiology. I hope that cooperation between Norwegian and Armenian academic and technical milieus will contribute to further strengthening our relations.
• I thank you all for your contributions to this promising endeavour. I look forward to seeing future results, and wish you every success in turning this project into practical results on the ground. Thank you.