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Your Majesty, Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The ties of friendship between Norway and Vietnam are strong – and they are growing stronger - in many different areas. More than 30 years of diplomatic relations and expanding co-operation in the fields of politics, commerce, development and culture reflect the excellent relations between our two countries. I am confident that our contact will become even closer in the years to come.

Vietnam’s economic growth, its progress in combating poverty, and its commitment to reducing the number of poor people are impressive achievements.

I can personally bear witness to this development, as I visited Vietnam several times in the late seventies. I was then employed by the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (Norad), working on legal issues regarding development co-operation. But now, on my return as Minister of Foreign Affairs, I find that it is commercial co-operation that tops the agenda.

Globalisation is a fact of life in today’s world. It is transforming the relations between continents – and between countries - and people. Globalisation is affecting political and economic relations. One of the effects is the gradual change of contacts between countries from development assistance to commercial co-operation. I welcome this transformation. We are now meeting more often as business partners.

Norway and Vietnam co-operate in multilateral fora. Both countries are part of a global economy marked by rapid change in communication and technology, fierce competition, as well as by unprecedented opportunities for trade, development and cultural exchanges.

What are the main challenges facing Norway and Vietnam? Let me focus on some of the issues.

The global economy is driving the demand for better goods and services. But to function well countries need:

• a high level of education,
• good governance, and
• transparency in the society.

The forces shaping globalisation have been described as the ”electronic herd”. A herd that will graze wherever the investment climate is most conducive, where profits are most likely to be made.

This does not mean, however, a race to the bottom – where labour costs are lowest and environmental regulations most lax. The electronic herd recognises that cheap labour is not enough, and that this kind of comparative advantage is only temporary.

It also recognises that responsive and responsible government is needed to meet the challenges of an ever-changing economy.

This brings me to one of my main points – the importance of a well-functioning democracy.

It is my firm conviction that societies governed by democratic institutions are better equipped, in the long run, to meet the challenge of the electronic herd. Inclusive, open and pluralist societies will fare better in the global economy.

To put it simply, I believe they are better at managing change.

Why does democracy work? Why do democratic institutions manage change better?

Firstly, because broad-based consultation and participation maximise the chance of effective public policies.

Secondly, controversial decisions enjoy greater legitimacy when dissenting voices are allowed a say and taken into account. An open debate, channelled by for example multiparty systems, brings to light valuable information, different views and constructive criticism.

History shows examples of governments that believed themselves accountable to no one - that made decisions and implemented programmes - and of what serious consequences these actions had. Responsive governments stand a better chance of not making such errors.

A third, fundamental element of democratic systems is that disputes, private and commercial, are addressed and settled in a consistent fashion, in accordance with general legal norms. Such a compatible framework creates the kind of predictability needed for sound and profitable commercial activities. Healthy businesses need a clear and transparent legal framework in order to plan ahead.

All these factors lay the foundation for a strong economy, for good, legitimate governance, able to adapt to change. The key words are legitimacy and accountability.

Structures and institutions do not, however, in themselves safeguard democracy or democratic processes.

Without freedom of association, consultation will be half-hearted and incomplete.

Without freedom of expression, criticism is toothless. Without free exchange of information, opinions and ideas, there will be no inclusive debate about the future development of our societies.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In Norway, we may well consider ourselves privileged. We are located in a peaceful corner of the world. Geographically we are remote from conflict areas such as the Middle East, Afghanistan and the Caucasus.

Yet although Norway’s territory is not threatened in the traditional, geographical sense, the lack of stability and security elsewhere affects us, indeed it may even threaten us. An example of this is that virtually all the heroin sold in Norway originates in Afghanistan - where the government is too weak to control the opium production.

In our globalised age, home affairs and foreign affairs can rarely be separated, threats know no borders, and security is indivisible. Regardless of whether we are a large nation or a small one, in Asia or Europe, we are all dependent on multilateral solutions in the end.

International terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are now the defining threats to our security. By definition, they are global threats. Since 2001 the scale and brutality of terrorist operations have altered our lives and our thinking. Beslan – Madrid - Bali - New York - terrorism can strike anywhere and at any time. As a threat to our security, terrorism creates chaos and fear. It hampers economic and social development.

The fight against terrorism must continue to be a top priority for the world community. We must act in accordance with international law and human rights. Democratic values and rule of law are our strongest cards in this fight.

Poverty, injustice and lack of political freedom create breeding grounds for terrorists. Hence, our fight against terrorism must be a fight for human rights and dignity, for economic development and prosperity, for all.

Globalisation can bring prosperity. But it can also lead to significant economic disparities – and serve as fuels to further instability and insecurity. Poverty represents in itself a major threat to global security.

The challenge facing governments is to provide their citizens with the opportunity to take part in the benefits of globalisation, while at the same time avoiding social and economic exclusion of certain groups and regions.

By protecting and respecting the right of every individual to fulfil his or her potential, a society as a whole will more easily achieve its goals.

As economic growth gathers pace, it becomes increasingly important to make sure that it benefits all individuals and groups in society. Injustice, unfairness and uneven distribution of wealth and resources cause instability.

My point is that poverty, as well as countries in conflict, cause instability, and conflicts cause enormous sufferings for civilians. We cannot shut our eyes to this.

Norway’s involvement in international peace operations illustrates our determination to take responsibility. Over the past decade Norway has gained valuable experience as a facilitator of peace processes all over the world. Today a privileged country – far from any military conflict in terms of geography – it is our moral duty to contribute to peace efforts elsewhere. Sixty thousand people have been killed in the conflict in Sri Lanka. If Norway’s facilitator role can make a difference to the situation, that is a good enough reason to be involved.

One might ask why Norway has become so engaged in various international peace and reconciliation processes. I would like to highlight three factors to explain it;

First, as a small country with no colonial past and few vested interests, we are considered a neutral and impartial broker. We have no second agendas.

Second, the Norwegian government co-operates closely with our non-governmental organisations. They have valuable experience, an idealistic approach, good networks and hands-on knowledge of various regions in the world.

Third, Norway’s role as a peace facilitator is in many ways a continuation of our long-standing commitment to peace through humanitarian action and development co-operation.

Thus, a common denominator for many of the peace processes in which we have been involved has been the interaction between diplomatic and humanitarian assistance, and between government and non-state actors. This is a recipe that has proven to be quite successful.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Both Norway and Vietnam share the belief that sustained investment in education, at all levels, is the most effective tool for combating social and economic exclusion.

Norway is therefore pleased to join other donors in supporting Vietnam’s Primary Education for Disadvantaged Children Project, which is benefiting so many children, including children from ethnic minorities. As we speak, Norway’s Deputy Minister of Development Co-operation is opening a seminar at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology on multigrade education and education for disadvantaged children in remote areas.

Our model of democracy is marked by a relatively prominent role played by the state in the distribution of wealth. But, it is also based on the essential importance of private ownership. Private ownership brings economic security and independence to the individual. It brings dynamism and creativity to the industry, and the quest for profit brings cost-effectiveness.

Norway is also a highly organised democracy in terms of voluntary and labour organisations. They are vital for democracy, for participation and for an open society.

These organisations are based on the principle of voluntary participation. A large number of citizens are involved, and they are the most important channel for community participation in Norway. They provide access to democratic processes - at local, regional and national level - for all the different groups that make up a pluralist society. The fact that they are both formally and in practice independent of the state, is of central importance here.

These civil society players are not only active at home. Many of them have a long-established tradition of co-operating with organisations in other countries and of providing assistance to these countries. - As I pointed out when speaking about Norway’s role in peace processes.

Through their dedication and knowledge of the local communities in which they operate, these organisations have become one of the most effective tools for Norwegian development co-operation. The work done by Nordic Assistance to Vietnam in Hue is an example.

The institutionalised co-operation between employers and employees in Norway has brought tangible benefits in two main ways:

Firstly, in terms of occupational health and safety.

Secondly, it results in a less confrontational process for solving disputes over pay and working conditions.

Their independent status not only allows them - but also encourages them - to play an active, responsible role in society at large.

The fight against corruption is a case in point. I believe that only by a concerted effort on the part of the public authorities, trade unions and labour organisations, can we prevent the insidious spread of corruption.

Earlier this year the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Norwegian Confederation of Business and Industry signed a co-operation agreement. The event mirrors the long-standing contact between the Norwegian and Vietnamese trade unions. Such competence-building efforts will benefit both employers and employees in the global economy of which we are all members.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The fundamental value of the individual – each man and woman – is the basis for the vibrant society. I am a strong believer in the free, independent, creative and responsible individual.

In recent years Norway has established human rights dialogues with a number of countries, most notably China, Indonesia and Vietnam. The emphasis is particularly strong on the rule of law and the administration of justice. The Norwegian-Vietnamese dialogue was formally established in 2001. Since then representatives of the two countries have met several times to discuss issues of mutual interest, most recently in Oslo last May. There are several topics we are eager to explore further in these talks:

One is the aims and effects of the penal system, including capital punishment, and the use of statistics as a management tool in the development of this system.

We are also evaluating new approaches to dealing with juvenile crime, correction and rehabilitation. We would like to learn more about Vietnamese experience in this field.

It is a cornerstone of Norwegian foreign policy that our interests are best safeguarded by strong multilateral institutions. By strengthening the international legal system, we can work against the age-old dictum that might equals right. We therefore encourage the ratification without reservations of core international human rights instruments.

International trade may be an important engine for creating economic growth and welfare. A sound base for growth and welfare that benefits all countries can only be created by means of fair trade rules developed through international co-operation. The successful ASEM V summit in Hanoi in October attests to Vietnam’s growing stature in international affairs. Norway welcomes Vietnam’s efforts to join the WTO, and its candidacy for the UN Security Council in 2008-2009. I am confident that bilateral contacts and regional and inter-regional initiatives, coupled with active multilateral diplomacy, are what we need to deal with today’s many complex challenges.

Norway and Vietnam share this vision. Vietnam will be hosting the Norway-China-Canada Symposium on Human Rights in December. The annual symposium is an excellent forum for discussing human rights challenges in an open atmosphere of mutual trust.

Two of the points I have been making is

• that democratic, legitimate institutions are better at managing change, and
• that the rule of law is a precondition for a thriving business sector.

The fundamental freedoms that are inalienable rights, that form the basis of democracies, also contribute to a viable, prosperous society.

In concluding, I shall make a third point related to modern Norway that is one of my highest concerns. The model of majority decisions requires a high degree of tolerance also of the views of the minorities. Each citizen, each group, has the right to speak out, to be heard and take part, without being refused or oppressed. The political system’s important task is to voice all views and opinions – and to form the right policies, in the name of respect, tolerance and pluralism. And not only to speak out - the governing bodies should, however democratic, always strive to leave as much freedom of choice, freedom of manoeuvre, as possible to the individual.

Your Majesty, Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The relations between Norway and Vietnam are close and friendly - and our co-operation is expanding. Vietnam’s good governance efforts and the legal system development strategy are examples of this.

I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm Norway’s commitment to its partnership with Vietnam. - A partnership in the political, legal, economic and cultural fields. - A partnership at the bilateral and multilateral levels. – A partnership for modern Vietnam and Norway as two members of a constantly changing world.

I have touched on some of the issues on the agenda for today. I am confident that the discussions will be both interesting and stimulating, and wish you good luck with the seminar.

Thank you for your attention.