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Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to be here and share with you some of my views on how we in Europe can contribute to meeting today’s most pressing challenges to international security. I say “we” because, although Norway has twice voted no to EU membership in referenda, it would be a mistake to regard us as reluctant Europeans. We want to play our full part in building security and stability in Europe and beyond.

The March 11 train bombings in Spain were a chilling reminder that terrorists may strike any time, anywhere. Ordinary people in Madrid, on their way to work, were killed in a terrible and meaningless terrorist attack. Only through close European co-operation at all levels will we succeed in defeating these evil forces. Co-operation between our police forces has shown results. The terrorists’ financial networks have been disrupted. Members of terrorist cells have been arrested in several European cities.

The Declaration on Combating Terrorism adopted by the Brussels European Council in March 2004 contains a range of important measures. Some of these are relevant to the Schengen co-operation, where Norway takes part. We will continue our active participation in the development and implementation of such measures, including on border management, document security and information systems.

Given our history, our deep-rooted democratic values, our political and economic strengths, Europeans have a special responsibility for addressing security issues. But we must pull together or our efforts will fail.

Hence, we greatly welcome the latest rounds of enlargement of the EU and NATO. This expansion of the European zone of stability and prosperity has brought us a big step closer to a Europe without dividing lines.

Now we must continue our efforts to erase the last political boundaries in Europe. The European Commission’s recent recommendation that Croatia be welcomed as a candidate country is a case in point. It sends a strong and clear message to the other countries of the Western Balkans that EU membership will eventually be within their reach, too.

The countries of the Western Balkans could and should be brought closer to the Atlantic Alliance as well. Norway supports the Partnership For Peace applications of both Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro, provided that they cooperate in a satisfactory manner with the International Criminal Tribunal on Yugoslavia (ICTY).

The emerging European Neighbourhood Policy has our full support. We share the goal to prevent new dividing lines in Europe, and the focus on democratic and economic development to promote stability. We stand ready to contribute actively to the Neighbourhood Policy, just as we have supported the enlargement of the EU.

For our own safety, we must also act beyond our own continent. Building stability in neighbouring regions is also a key element in the EU Security Strategy. The Strategy’s broad approach, with particular emphasis on conflict prevention and strengthened international order, is fully in line with Norwegian policy. We wish to work as closely as possible with the European Union in the development of the Strategy.

The focus on the fight against international terrorism, as one of the initial priorities of the Strategy, is highly necessary and relevant. This fight cannot be won on the European front alone. Terrorism is a global threat, and must be met by broad-based, effective and coherent international co-operation on a global scale.

In many parts of the world, failed states are a source of instability and violence. We have no other option than to ensure that power vacuums are dealt with in ways that foster prosperous and democratic societies. Failed states provide fertile ground for the recruitment of terrorists, and for a shadow economy that finances their activities.

We need to focus on what fuels extremism and hopelessness. Poverty, injustice and lack of political freedom create a breeding ground for terrorists. Hence, our fight against terrorism must be a fight for human rights and dignity, for economic development and prosperity for all.

Our efforts to achieve peace, security and stability must be based on international law, the United Nations Charter and the resolutions of the UN Security Council. But the UN needs to be reformed so that it can adapt to new threats. The countries of Europe should spearhead the efforts to strengthen the role and authority of the UN.

Securing universal adherence to and full compliance with treaties aimed at preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction must be a top priority both for Europe and for the international community as a whole.

At the same time, it is clear that global treaties are not sufficient. They must be complemented by initiatives such as the Proliferation Security Initiative, which is aimed at the interdiction of shipments of controlled technologies and components for WMD programmes.

Norway is taking an active part in this initiative. As a significant flag state, we are doing our part to prevent Norwegian-registered ships from being misused for proliferation purposes. We hope other European nations will support this US-led initiative.

Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Norway has always considered the close relationship between the US and Europe to be the best guarantee of international peace and security. This is a relationship built on shared values - a clear commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights, good governance, the rule of law and a market economy.

I am convinced that strong transatlantic ties will be as essential in meeting the threats of the 21st century as they were in meeting the challenges of the past. The nations of Europe and the US may differ in strategic outlook, size and resources, but we share the same basic goals.

Transatlantic differences are nothing new. We have seen them before. Kyoto, the International Criminal Court and the Test Ban Treaty are just a few of the most recent examples. However, the differences of opinion across the Atlantic are greater in number than before, they go deeper, and they reflect divergent assessments of the challenges we face and of how we should meet them. Both Europe and the United States have a responsibility to bridge the divergences, through a partnership based on dialogue and consultations.

I am confident that the NATO summit in Istanbul later this month will confirm that the transatlantic ties are stronger than the differences. Norway will do its utmost to ensure that NATO remains the primary organisation for co-ordination and consultation on security and defence. Strengthened co-operation between NATO, the EU and Russia will be crucial to our fight against international terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Most of the security problems the world faced in the past had their roots on the European continent. Today the roots of the most pressing threats to our security are to be found in what is increasingly referred to as the Greater Middle East.

The countries in this region are in need of modernisation, although reform efforts will no doubt meet with a good deal of resistance. There is no lack of sceptical voices. In order to move the process forward, we must now be inclusive and work to instil a sense of ownership in the countries concerned.

NATO has taken on a heavy responsibility in Afghanistan, through its leadership of the International Security and Assistance Force - ISAF. This is the first time NATO has been involved outside the Euro-Atlantic area. In this sense Afghanistan is a credibility test – and it is a tough one. NATO simply cannot afford to fail. It will also have a significant impact on the further development of NATO, as we must be prepared for a long-lasting engagement. Therefore, Afghanistan must be a top priority for the Alliance.

The difficult security situation in the country and the drug-related economy pose a significant threat to the political and economic development of the entire region.

Norway is committed to a broad and long-term engagement in Afghanistan. Our military contribution to ISAF will continue. As part of this, we will participate in the Provincial Reconstruction Teams that will be established outside Kabul this year. We have also sent a group of police instructors to Afghanistan, who is helping to build up and train an Afghan police and border police force.

We have recently upgraded Afghanistan’s status to one of our designated partner countries in development co-operation. This means an increase in long-term development assistance to the country.

There is an important lesson here: there is no development or reconstruction without security, and there is no security without development and reconstruction. Recent tragic events, which also included Norwegian casualties, are evidence of this. To my mind, the case of Afghanistan clearly shows that, in certain situations, the use of military means is indispensable for building peace and stability.

The same goes for Iraq. Both UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and his special representative Lakdhar Brahimi, have underscored that an international military presence is necessary in Iraq also after 30 June, when the Iraqi interim government takes over. Iraq's new Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, stated immediately after the interim government was appointed, that the international military presence is needed until Iraq itself has the capacity to take care of its own security.

The international community must give the Iraqi interim government the support it needs in order to stabilise the political and economic situation, and prepare for free elections and democratic rule.

The Norwegian Government will also in the future contribute to the reconstruction and stabilisation and efforts in Iraq. Reconstruction will in itself contribute to stabilisation. This year, the Norwegian government has allocated 80 million NOK in development aid and humanitarian assistance to Iraq.

We decided in May last year to participate in the stabilisation force. A Norwegian company of army engineers has participated in the efforts to neutralise explosives, repair the electricity networks, build bridges and maintain irrigation systems in the British area of operations. In addition we have provided a small number of staff officers.

The Company of Engineers will conclude its mission as planned on 30 June and will then return home during the subsequent two weeks. This is not a Norwegian withdrawal from Iraq. The Government intends to continue with Norway’s contribution of staff officers serving in the British and Polish sectors beyond 1 July. We will also heed the UN’s call for personnel to help with the training and reconstruction of the Iraqi defence forces.

Just a few hours ago, the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1546. The resolution gives the UN a central role in Iraq, not least in the preparations for the elections in January next year, in the establishment of an interim parliament, and in the elaboration of a new constitution. The UN role in Iraq will contribute to legitimising the political process. I therefore welcome the fact the resolution gives the UN the necessary mandate. A central role for the UN is, however, contingent upon adequate security for the UN personnel. Only the multinational force, which the resolution has firmly anchored in international law, can provide that security.

I am convinced that, by adopting a clear and unambiguous resolution, the Security Council has secured the full support of the international community for the continued efforts to build a free and democratic Iraq.

Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Last Sunday we were all reminded what was achieved through concerted action in Normandy 60 years ago. The global security challenges we are faced with today are daunting. As the case was in June 1944, we can only deal with them effectively if we work together in a concerted manner. Hence, while further developing its own capabilities, Europe must work closely with all friends and allies to meet these challenges.

Thank you for your attention.