Transcript of the Norwegian Foreign Minister's press conference

The Foreign Minister Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre's speech at the press conference Saturday 23 July at 14:30.

“Today Norway woke up in deep mourning after the terrible attacks that happened on Friday.

This was an attack on our democracy. Our thoughts go out to those affected by this disaster.

I spent most of Thursday at Utøya where I enjoyed the spirit of this island and the summer camp of the Labour youth movement. This summer camp is about political debate and political training. But it is also fun, sport, youth and summer. It went on like that until Friday, when terror struck.

In addition to the police investigation, it is the focus of the Norwegian government to take care of those who have lost their loved ones and those who experienced the horrible events.

I would like to express my deep appreciation to the many individuals and governments around the world who have sent messages of condolences and sympathy to Norway and its people. Many of my fellow Foreign Ministers have been on the phone. We take great care to communicate this wave of sympathy to the relatives as an expression of international solidarity.

The world is uniting around those who mourn.

The Norway that you meet tomorrow will be recognizable. We will stand up for the values that made the island Utøya possible. The Labour youth movement has expressed very clearly that "we will take Utøya back". The youth of Norway will take Utøya back and we will help them in doing so.

The nature of the Norwegian democracy will not change. Norway will continue to stand for engagement in the world where we commit our resources and our convictions.”

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