Prime Minister Nastase,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Tonight, it is an honour to welcome you, Mr. Prime Minister, and your delegation, to this dinner here at Akershus Slott.

I know that you are an old friend of Norway yourself, as you came to Oslo as early as 1980 to work at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), and at the International Peace Research Institute (PRIO).

We were also pleased to receive you here in 1991, when you visited Norway as Romanian foreign minister. I was Norwegian foreign minister during the decisive months in 1989 and 1990 - which saw the end of the Berlin Wall - but I followed closely also the dramatic events in your country.

Your friendship with Norway therefore came full circle today, when you returned as prime minister and held a lecture at the Nobel Institute organized by your former employee – the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).

Prime Minister,

Romania has a rich history. Once you belonged to the Roman Empire. Your country’s location at the heart of Europe – serving as meeting-point of different European cultures has no doubt formed your country and your people.

Over the years – even going far back in history – there have been several contacts between our two countries. Some are rather well-known, other less so. Let me briefly mentioned just a couple of the less known, but still important contacts between our two countries:

During the Romanian War of Liberation – more commonly known as the Russian – Turkish War in 1877-78 - a young Norwegian lieutenant with the name of Flod fought beside the Rumanian soldiers. After the war, the Norwegian lieutenant received many high Rumanian decorations and was considered a hero. Upon returning to Norway, he gave many talks on his war-time experience and remained a friend of the Romanian people for the rest of his life.

The famous Norwegian author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson was engaged in several international issues – and his involvement for the Slovaks are rather well-known. But few will know that Bjørnson also tried hard to help the Rumanian minority within the Austrian-Hungarian Empire during the beginning of the 20 ^th> Century.

Despite the fact that Norway and Romania are more or less at opposite ends of Europe, there have been several contacts throughout history. And today, the era of rapid integration and expanded European cooperation, is bringing our two countries closer together than ever before.

Romania has made a choice in favour of membership of both the European Union and of NATO.

Norway favours a broad and comprehensive NATO enlargement. Romania has been first in line to demonstrate its commitment to Euro-Atlantic security, and to contribute to the fight against international terrorism. At the NATO-summit in November, the Alliance should reach out to candidate countries from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Personally, I look forward to seeing Romania as a member of NATO.

I know we already enjoyed working with you in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), where you did an excellent job as chairman last year.

While not a member of the European Union, Norway will continue its policy of close cooperation with the EU and will continue to take its share of the responsibility for the future of Europe.

I am pleased we are able to support your preparations for EU membership through our “Plan of Action” for the candidate countries to the EU. In this context we give project assistance in areas like justice and home affairs, civil society and as regards the environment.

When you become a member of the European Union, you will also join the European Economic Area (EEA). Norway and Romania will then both be part of the single market, and our markets will be open to each other.

Prime Minister,

In the process of becoming members in both the EU and NATO, you will be implementing many challenging reforms within a rather short period of time. I am confident that they will be conducted in the same spirit that has enabled Romania to make such impressive progress over the last ten years.

At the same time, we both wish to further develop our economic relations. I am therefore very pleased that you have brought a large and important business delegation with you to Norway.

I am confident that tomorrow’s Business Forum at the Norwegian Trade Council, will further stimulate economic cooperation between our two countries. The Business Forum will also help businessmen and women from our two countries establish direct contact and discuss possible new projects.

Already, nearly 10.000 Norwegians visit Romania every year - and the number are in fact rapidly increasing. This is to me no surprise. Romania’s scenery is beautiful, with many mountains, huge forests and rich farmland. You also have the well-known Black Sea Coast, as well as regions like Transylvania with their historical sites and ancient legends.

I am in particular pleased to see that so many of your countrymen have a strong interest in Norway. Around 100 students at the University of Cluj have – as I understand - chosen to study the Norwegian language. The knowledge these students acquire will make them attractive to both Norwegian companies operating in Romania, as well as Romanian companies wishing to establish themselves in Norway. This will also help strengthen our bilateral relations in general.

Prime Minister,

There are several important events taking place this autumn. I have already mentioned the NATO Summit. One of them, which I will all be following with great interest, is taking place in Bucharest on the 12 ^th> of October!

Since you have a very strong team, I believe many will look upon Romania as a clear favourite in the important Group 2 qualifying football game between our two countries. However, never underestimate a Norwegian! And may the best team win.

You mentioned in our discussions this afternoon that you where going to represent me at the match in Bucharest on the 12 ^th> of October. I very much appreciate this, but I will then ask you to wear this football shirt with the national colours of Norway.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to ask you all to join me in a toast to Prime Minister Nastase and his delegation, and to close and fruitful relations between our two countries in the years to come.

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