Ambassadors,
Consuls General,
Consuls,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish you all warmly welcome to Holmenkollen and to this dinner table. We are gathered here this evening to pay tribute to our Honorary Consuls in Central America and the Caribbean region and their spouses. It is a great pleasure for me to meet personally with our distinguished representatives in this part of the world - some of whom, I understand, have never visited Norway before.

The Consular Corps has always been an important element of the Norwegian Foreign Service. At present we have more than 400 Honorary Consuls General and Consuls worldwide. 26 of them are gathered here tonight. I doubt that any other country the size of Norway is as well represented in your part of the world.

Without your dedicated efforts we could not reach out to the Norwegian communities - and to the public in general - in your countries the way we do. Nor could we offer the comprehensive services they expect of us. You are indispensable pillars in the bridge that brings our countries and peoples together.

Norwegian history certainly testifies to the importance of the consular service. In fact, one of the most important issues which led to the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905, was the question of whether Norway should be entitled to have her own consular representation. The Swedish King said no – but the Norwegian National Assembly, the Storting, said yes – hence there were two states! This happened exactly 95 years ago today – on the 7 ^th> of June, 1905.

In earlier days the establishment of consular representations was closely linked to the development of Norwegian shipping and its need for assistance. As a result of this, Norwegian consulates were generally located in ports and port cities. The needs of Norway’s shipping industry and Norwegian seamen still represent a major part of the workload for many of our honorary consuls, several of whom are represented here tonight.

In the last decades we have, however, witnessed a shift from the relatively narrow-based "maritime" consulates to a consular representation performing a wide range of tasks. The new tasks – increasingly more important – include commercial assistance to Norwegian companies, cultural affairs and information, and various forms of assistance to a growing number of Norwegian tourists and Norwegian nationals residing abroad....

....often with good reason, I might add: It has not escaped my notice that you are all from a warm and, for us Norwegians, extremely exotic part of the world. I don’t think you can imagine what white beaches, clear lukewarm sea and supple palm trees conjures up of daydreams in us here in our mostly snowbound country. Or what magic lies for us in names like Popocatépetl, Quetzaltenángo , La Martinique and Kingston Bay. And if I pronounce them wrong, that’s part of it, too! I think you may confidently expect more Norwegian visitors in the years to come.

We had two objectives in mind when we decided to invite you all to visit Norway:

Firstly, within the span of the relatively few days at our disposal, we wanted to show you some of the different aspects of Norway; the Capital, the scenery in Lofoten (with snow), historical and cultural traditions, modern shipping technology and industry.

Secondly, we wanted to pay tribute to you for your untiring efforts in keeping the Norwegian flag flying high in your part of the world. We are truly grateful – and we could not do what we are doing without you!

In some instances, we have even benefited from your assistance - and your valuable contacts with the authorities of your resident country - in matters of a more political nature. One such issue has been Norway’s candidature to the United Nations Security Council.

Norway is a long-time, staunch supporter of the United Nations. We believe in strong, effective global institutions. In a world of plenty, but mostly so for the few, we treasure the ideals of solidarity with the developing world. We believe in multilateralism. And we are sensitive to the needs of small countries, being not much more than 4 million people ourselves.

As minister of International Development, I thought I would use this occasion to mention a few of the policy issues closest to my heart.

• Firstly, I stress the importance of international framework conditions – the linkages between development, trade, debt, investment and finance. Development cooperation is no longer a narrow niche. It is, and must be, an "umbrella", covering much, much more than aid alone.

• Secondly - and in this spirit - I regard our WTO engagement as part of our development policy. A new "round" must put the interests and special needs of the developing countries at the forefront. The developing countries, especially the least developed ones, must become better integrated into the global economy. Aid doesn’t work without trade!

• Thirdly, health issues are and will remain prominent on my agenda. You may have noticed the government’s strong support for global vaccination. This is an important initiative that fits well with our focus on strengthening primary health care for the poor. Next week, Norway will be hosting the Board meeting of GAVI (short for The Global Initiative on Vaccination and Immunization), as well as a related high-level symposium, here in Oslo.

• Fourth and finally, the Government will continue its active involvement in the reform and strengthening of the UN system. The globalized, round-the-clock market economy must be combined with, and sometimes tempered by, a strong "international public sector" - a voice speaking out on behalf of the poor and the marginalized, and for the victims of war, civil strife, natural disasters and famine. Here there is no alternative to the United Nations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Tomorrow, your visit will end with a reception at the Royal Palace with Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja. It is my sincere hope that you return to your countries full of fresh impressions and an even better understanding of the country you represent as consuls.

Please join me in a toast to tonight’s guests of honor: Norway’s Honorary Consuls and their spouses.

Cheers, salud and skål!