Speech at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

Check against delivery.

President Tanner, President Jagland, Secretary General, Distinguished guests,

It is an honour to address this important Assembly.

Your active involvement in NATO is of great value

- in creating greater transparency in NATO

- in fostering dialogue among parliamentarians on major security issues

- and not the least in preserving NATO’s links to the general public.

We celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Alliance last month in Strasbourg and in Kehl.

We are very grateful to France and Germany for co-hosting a very successful summit.

This was also Secretary General Scheffer’s last Summit in this important position.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to you for serving the Alliance with great dedication and skill since 2004.

It is an organisation in excellent shape that you will hand over to your successor Anders Fogh Rasmussen this summer.

During these 60 years, NATO has faced different security challenges.

The Alliance has stayed relevant and essential during changing times.

The North Atlantic political-military cooperation has proved its value and validity to its members – old and new.

***

In Strasbourg, we adopted the Declaration on Alliance Security.

This declaration reaffirms the values, objectives and obligations of the Washington Treaty.

It commits the Alliance to strengthening its ability to address today’s threats, and anticipate tomorrow’s risks.

In so doing, the Declaration sets the stage for the upcoming work on the Alliance’s new Strategic Concept.

The Strategic Concept must be at the core of our efforts,

- it must ensure that NATO remains capable of facing new and increasingly global security threats and challenges.

- it must ensure that NATO has the military capabilities and resources needed to deal with the challenges ahead;

- and it must underscore the Alliance’s role in reinforcing arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

The Concept should also address the on-going process of NATO enlargement,

NATO’s relations with other international organizations such as the UN and the EU, and how we work together with partner nations.

These issues are of vital importance to each and every ally.

Therefore, in developing the new Strategic Concept, we need an open, transparent, and inclusive process, with the participation of all member countries.

A key role for the NATO Council is imperative to secure the necessary commitment to and ownership of the new Strategic Concept.

* * *

Yesterday’s news of a nuclear test carried out by North Korea is a clear reminder to us all of the risks of proliferation of nuclear weapons.

I strongly condemn the decision of the North Korean leadership to continue its nuclear programme.

* * *

Disarmament became a central pillar in the Alliance security through the adoption of the Harmel Report in 1967. It is just as relevant today.

I commend the authors of the Harmel Report for their foresight.

In 2007, Norway and Germany took the initiative to raise NATO’s profile in the areas of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

In Bucharest last year, we agreed on stronger NATO involvement in this area.

We reaffirmed our commitment in Strasbourg.

I share President Obama’s vision of creating a world free of nuclear weapons.

This will enhance our own security.

It will create a safer world.

I welcome the upcoming negotiations between the United States and Russia on reducing strategic nuclear arms.

This could provide the necessary incentives for renewed momentum in international disarmament and arms control efforts.

The new Strategic Concept provides an opportunity to consider the role of nuclear weapons in the Alliance’s deterrence policy.

We must minimise the risk of these weapons ever being used.

We must support efforts to secure an early entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

We should actively support an early ban on the production of fissile materials for military purposes.

We must secure a positive outcome of the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty next year.

The Treaty has been a cornerstone for our security for nearly 40 years. 

* * *

The elimination of nuclear weapons will not happen overnight.

It will take political leadership, courage and commitment.

A number of regional security issues will have to be addressed.

In this, few are better positioned to take the lead than NATO.

* * *

NATO remains the cornerstone of Trans-Atlantic security.

We have a commitment in Afghanistan.

But we must also respond effectively to security challenges on our own territory.

We must demonstrate that our Alliance remains relevant to our peoples.

This is important to secure support for NATO and NATO operations.

The Alliance must be capable of carrying out the full range of missions, on and beyond its own territory, in a balanced way. 

Norway has presented ideas on how to increase the relevance, visibility and public and political support of NATO in the member states.

NATO must strengthen its capability to address security challenges on its own territory.

This must be reflected in NATO command structures.

We have received wide-spread support for our proposals in the Alliance.

I believe that our proposals can help boost public support for operations at a strategic distance.

This in turn would improve Alliance cohesion.

This is not about bringing NATO back home.

It is about making clear to our citizens that the Alliance never left.

***

Distinguished guests,

Let me take this opportunity to draw your attention to the developments in the High North.

Climate change is making the Arctic ice cap melt much faster than expected.

We may soon see an Arctic Ocean free of ice.

It is in the polar regions that we are seeing the effects of climate change first.

These changes are opening up for new commercial activities in shipping, fisheries and oil and gas exploration.

As a result, the Arctic has attracted increasing international attention.

The EU and the United States have adopted Arctic strategies, while Russia has issued a statement on its Arctic policy.

A legal framework for the Arctic is already in place.

The Arctic is governed by the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

We do not need a new, international legal regime for the Arctic.

But need governments to come together to develop policies and specific rules to managing the increasing human activity in the region. 

Along with the other Arctic states, Norway is firmly committed to doing so.  

It is important to ensure that the High North remains a region of low tension, cooperation and stability.   

* * *

Russia is our neighbour in the north.

We share a land border of 196 kilometres,

and a border not yet agreed upon in the vast Barents Sea.

* * *

Dialogue and pragmatic cooperation, combined with clear and predictable positions, work well for Norway in the High North.

Our NATO membership and being a peaceful neighbour of Russia, are fundamental dimensions of Norway’s foreign and security policy.

A number of issues in areas such as fisheries, energy and environment can only be solved in cooperation with Russia.

The sustainable way in which we have managed our common fisheries resources could serve as a model for others.

Our bilateral relations are good and constructive, but not without challenges.

My visit to Moscow last week, reflected our broad and concrete cooperation in the High North.

And at the same time, we had an open exchange on issues where we differ.

I am pleased with the decision at the NATO Summit to formally resume the NATO-Russia Council discussions.

Our security depends on a strong, cooperative partnership.

We need to engage with Russia.

We need to make the NATO-Russia Council a more efficient tool for political dialogue and practical cooperation.

Whenever we disagree,

We must seek solutions together.

Where we have common interests,

We must cooperate.

Let us make full use of NATO-Russia Council for an open and frank dialogue.

We should strive to be an inclusive, predictable and reliable partner for Russia and expect the same in return.

This is in our own interest.

* * *

Afghanistan is NATO’s most important operation. 

It is our most pressing challenge.

It is also Norway’s most important international engagement in political, civil and military terms.

Providing assistance for the upcoming elections is a priority.

Broad participation, including the opportunity for women to participate fully, is important.

Free and fair elections will strengthen Afghanistan’s democratic institutions, and the legitimacy of the Afghan authorities.

Our approach in Afghanistan should focus on the following priorities:

We must enable Afghanistan to take responsibility for its own security, and the Afghan Army and Police must be strengthened.

At the NATO Summit I announced a contribution of 10 million US dollars to the Police through the Law and Order Trust Fund.

And 20 million US dollars to support the Afghan Army through the expanded NATO Trust Fund.

We must secure Afghan ownership of the country’s own future.

That will form an important part of our exit strategy.

* * *

Ownership entails responsibilities and obligations.

A new, elected government will be judged on its ability to provide good governance, justice and welfare to its people.

We need a better organised and focused civilian effort.

Norway is committed to contributing 120 million US dollars annually to this effort.

We should all do more to support the coordinating role of the UN under Kai Eide’s capable leadership.

And we must all be willing to be coordinated.

* * *

For NATO to remain strong and relevant to its member states, and to promote democracy and freedom in other parts of the world, we depend on you, as NATO parliamentarians, to ensure the public support and credibility we need, to fulfil our mission.

Thank you.