Dynamic developments in bilateral relations

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Your Majesty, President Komorowski, fellow ministers
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests, 

As His Majesty rightly pointed out, over the past few years the political, social, economic and cultural cooperation between our two countries has expanded both in scope and depth.

I believe no country in Europe has come closer to Norway than Poland over the past few years.  

Look at our trade relations:

Last year Norwegian exports to Poland exceeded EUR 2 billion compared with EUR 700 million in 2005. That is nearly a threefold increase in just six years! In fact, the growth of our exports to Poland and its neighbouring countries now exceeds by far the growth of our exports to Asia.

We sell almost twice as much to Poland than  we do to China.

Seafood is the main Norwegian export article, and is sold both to polish consumers and to the fish processing industry. Another area of interest is oil and gas. The Norwegian petroleum industry is attracting Polish suppliers of goods and services. In fact, the value of all goods and services exported from Poland to Norway now exceeds that of Poland’s exports to the US (EUR 1.7 billion).

Our two countries have both stayed clear of the worst turmoil of the current crisis in Europe. Indeed, Poland and Norway are among the fortunate few – a very small group of European economies that are still enjoying stability and growth. In the period 2008–11, growth in the Polish economy was the highest of the EU countries.

We see this – the world sees this. We are impressed and we are inspired.  

One thing is certain: economic growth is not possible without a productive and qualified work force. In Norway we depend on labour immigration to maintain today’s productivity.

Polish immigrants, now the largest immigrant group in Norway, are making invaluable contributions to the Norwegian workforce – as doctors and carpenters, researchers and business owners, pre-school teachers and engineers. They are knowledgeable and hard working. 

Our children are growing up together, sharing ideas and values. Many young Norwegian people study at Polish universities, and come back with outstanding professional qualifications – particularly in the medical field. 

On the international arena, Poland and Norway are close allies. We share the same outlook on security policy-range from hard security to soft security.  

Poland is itself one of the best examples of the developments in Europe. You are an independent, democratic state. You are a driving force in the European Union. We are allies in NATO. We share the same values, which are reflected in our foreign policies.

Many of these values re-emerged in the docks of Gdansk in the 1970s. Lech Walesa’s Solidarity movement and the peaceful campaign for labour rights gave the word solidarity a new and contemporary meaning. The movement followed a path of dialogue and negotiation, peace and reconciliation in its fight for democracy and basic human rights.

The events in Poland won cross-party support in Norway. And rarely has a decision of the Norwegian Nobel Committee been so well received as the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Lech Walesa in 1983.

At a time of Cold War crisis Europe needed solidarity across its borders. Today, Europe is in the throes of an economic, political and social crisis. Again, what we need is a new concept of international solidarity.

Unemployment is rising. Average youth unemployment in the eurozone is now more than 20 %.

This will have long-term consequences. And it cannot be resolved by market-driven forces alone. In a global, inter-dependent economy, what is called for is the willingness to approach the challenges together - out of solidarity, yes, but also because economic and financial stability in our neighbouring countries serves our national interests and contributes to international security.  

This is why Norway is making a significant additional allocation to the IMF crisis fund, and why we are making significant contributions to economic and social development in Europe through the EEA and Norway Grants.

As you know, Norway has access to the inner market through the EEA Agreement. There we are alike. The EEA and Norway Grants have proved to be a valuable economic contribution to our partner countries, as well as an efficient tool for enhancing bilateral relations.

Poland stands out in this respect. Poland is the largest recipient of the EEA and Norway Grants (EUR 578.1 million in the 2009-14 period).

The results can be seen all over Poland. Last autumn I visited Bydgoszcz, which is the hometown of my friend and colleague, Foreign Minister Sikorski. During a walk through the town, we saw the restoration of historic buildings on Mill Island, which is being funded by the Grants.

Yesterday we signed three new partnership programmes for research, culture and scholarships. We will also collaborate on environmental challenges and opportunities for green growth, and I know this will be discussed further at this conference today.  

I hope you will have a constructive session, which will help to develop relations between our nations even further.  

Thank you.

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