Mr. Deputy-President, ladies and gentlemen,

I am very glad to be in South Africa, and to be here in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

South Africa and Norway today have an excellent and very close relationship. We work side by side on urgent international and regional issues. Norway supports your efforts within the county to deal with the legacy of apartheid. We seek to help the South African government and civil society to bring the fruits of democracy and economic and social development to the whole people.

President Mandela was enthusiastically received when he visited Norway last year. Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja visited your beautiful country in 1998. There have been numerous other high level contacts and visits.

In addition, strong bonds between our peoples were forged when Norway joined in your struggle to end apartheid. Churches, trade unions, school children, students and many individuals took part in political action and solidarity work. They represented a genuine commitment to making a difference.

Mr. Deputy-President

It is remarkable how much has been achieved since the first democratic elections in 1994. Eminent statesmanship has been demonstrated in South Africa. You have been lucky in South Africa to have truly great leaders, and to have a people who have joined forces to work for reconciliation and a better South Africa for all.

We congratulate you on the 1999 elections, which demonstrate that the South African democracy has come far. The work of the Truth and Reconcilitation Commission has impressed the whole world. Transition from apartheid to a just society is marked with challenges, but we are impressed by the progress made.

During President Mandela’s visit to Norway last year, South Africa and Norway signed a declaration on the extension of contact and co-operation between our two countries. The declaration provides for regular political consultations on international issues of mutual interest. Development co-operation will be extended for another five-year period.

The excellent bilateral relationship between our two countries is also reflected at the multilateral level. We both see the UN as a vital instrument in solving the global challenges we all are facing. We have a shared approach on urgent international issues. We both see the need for global solutions based on a large degree of consensus.

Let me mention some areas where we have a very close and fruitful co-operation.

Anti-personnel mines represent an enormous humanitarian and economic challenge for many countries in the world, not least in Africa. The entry into force of the Anti Personal Mine Ban Treaty thus represents a leap forward in our efforts to eliminate the human suffering caused by these weapons. South Africa and Norway worked very closely together in the process leading up to the Convention. We will now work together on putting into effect the objectives of the convention.

Our two countries also cooperate closely on curbing the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms, globally, regionally and in South Africa. We will provide 400 000 Rands in support of the South African small arms initiative called Operation Mouflon. The destruction of more than 260.000 small arms is a forceful demonstration of your commitment to this cause, and we are happy to be your partners in this endeavour.

Mr. Deputy President,

The challenge to eradicate poverty and achieve a more equal distribution of opportunities and wealth, is a momentous task. We know your government is committed to involve all sectors in society. Your strong civil society, government and private business are all necessary actors. To this end the Norwegian government is committed to continue to support partnership between organisations, institutions and private companies in Norway and South Africa. Overcoming violence through the healing of wounds and the peaceful resolution of conflict is an important part of our co-operation.

There is another challenge to Africa that requires immediate action: the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS. As chairman of the National Committee established to fight this epidemic, you are in the best position to evaluate the challenges in South Africa. I would like you to know that we will support you in preventing the spread of this deadly disease, which causes so much suffering, and which breaks up families and communities.

Mr. Deputy President,

Let me turn to economic and commercial ties between our countries.

Trade between Norway and South Africa has grown rapidly over the last few years. Norwegian companies have invested for close to one billion RAND in South African business since 1994. And we hope to see an increase in South African export to Norway.

We see a considerable interest from the Norwegian business community for increased involvement in South Africa. South Africa's assets, such as advanced telecommunications and other infrastructure, a sound banking and financial system, good investment regulations and political stability, makes the market attractive to Norwegian companies. Almost 60 representatives of Norwegian companies have accompanied me on this visit.

South Africa offers great commercial opportunities for Norwegian companies. An important purpose of this visit is to assist Norwegian companies in exploring these opportunities. I believe Norwegian companies are attractive business partners. They are willing to commit themselves to long-term co-operation, including transfer of skills and technology. They can offer experience, expertise and high-quality products in areas of priority to South Africa. These include environmental technology, information technology, telecommunications, fisheries, the energy sector and the maritime sector.

South-Africa and Norway are both polar nations and nations with large exclusive economic zones. We enjoy close co-operation in Antarctica. Norwegian Antarctic research activities have for many years benefited from Cape Town as a gateway to the Antarctica. We also work closely with you to develop an efficient fisheries management system in Antarctic waters and we recognise the special interests of South Africa as a coastal state. Clearly there is the potential to further strengthen our co-operation in these two important areas.

Mr. Deputy-President,

Norway has sought to contribute to development in southern Africa for more than three decades. Since the democratic revolution in South Africa, new forces for democracy and development have been released. These forces bring new momentum to the whole region. South Africa is a locomotive in this process. The example the South-Africans set in democratic consolidation, and your efforts to generate a new dynamism in your region, are to me a clear illustration of the hope and vitality that visionary leaders bring to Africa.

Globalisation brings challenges to all of our countries. We need to retain a social and ethical basis for our societies, in the face of strong economic and cultural changes. I noted that the religious communities in South Africa in 1998 arranged a moral summit to highlight this. My own government has established a Value Commission to stimulate ethical and moral debate. I believe these aspects of our rapidly changing societies requires close attention.

I would like to close by proposing a toast to you, Mr. Deputy-President, and to the people of South Africa. Let me do so by quoting from "A Prayer for Africa", which I understand is commonly used in your country's schools and churches: "God bless Africa; guard her children, guide her leaders and give her peace."