Translation from the Norwegian

Mr. President, Representatives of the People,

I greet the Storting as it takes up its solemn responsibilities with the wish that the fulfilment of these duties will be of benefit to our country.

The government’s values are based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law and on our Christian and humanist cultural heritage. Respect for the individual, for human rights and human dignity, is of fundamental importance.

Next year we will celebrate the centennial of the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden. Norway as a partner for peace and development, Norway as a nation rich in resources and Norway as a modern nation will be major themes. Events are to be arranged all over the country. The centennial will also be used to promote Norway abroad.

The fight against poverty will be intensified, both in Norway and abroad.

The government will pursue a proactive environmental policy based on the principle of sustainable development.

The government will improve the quality of education, health services and care of the elderly.

The government’s active regional policy will be continued and renewed.

Job creation and job security are major priorities for the government. Unemployment will be combated on a broad front.

The government attaches great importance to freedom of choice and voluntary work.

The government will intensify its efforts to modernise and renew the public sector with a view to safeguarding good collective solutions that will also benefit coming generations.

Norway’s oil and gas resources open up great opportunities, but they also entail great responsibilities in terms of management. We must ensure that future generations are also able to benefit from these assets. The government will manage these revenues in an ethically responsible way.

Developments in the mainland economy are decisive for our welfare. Our most important resource is our labour force. This applies both to older and younger workers and to those in need of workplace adjustments. The main foundation for value creation is high labour force participation and a high standard of expertise in the labour force. Co-operation with the social partners is an important aspect of this.

The pension system and our other social welfare schemes are fundamental to people’s social and economic security. Institutions that foster and promote a shared sense of responsibility, such as the family, schools and the voluntary sector, are vital for maintaining social solidarity.

Our taxation system and social welfare schemes must also encourage people to work. An inclusive workplace, less sickness absence, and a higher actual retirement age are all important, both for the individual and for society as a whole.

The government is working on a white paper on a more sustainable and equitable pension system.

The government will, together with the social partners, intensify efforts to achieve a more inclusive workplace.

The government will submit a bill on working life based on the recommendations of the committee appointed to draft a new working environment, working hours and employment protection act.

Priority will continue to be given to targeted measures to combat bullying in society.

The government will follow up the white paper on taxation by proposing specific measures. The aim is a better, more equitable taxation system that will contribute to greater value creation. Tax reductions are a necessary part of this reform.

A white paper on important long-term trends in the Norwegian economy will be submitted to the Storting.

The government will continue its efforts to promote gender equality.

Efforts will be made to facilitate freedom of choice for the parents of young children through the cash benefit scheme and good access to day-care facilities.

The government will submit a bill on the protection of children against violence and abuse.

The government will put forward a proposal for reorganising the labour and social security administration.

The government will continue the efforts to promote equal status for persons with disabilities and to improve access for this group.

The government will continue to give priority to preventive health care.

The efforts to improve the mental health sector will be further intensified.

Administrative reforms that delegate power, authority and responsibility are important means of renewing the public sector.

The government will continue to pursue a policy that strengthens local democracy and gives the municipalities greater freedom of action.

The government intends to submit a new Freedom of Information bill that provides for greater transparency than the current Freedom of Information Act.

A white paper on the follow up to the study on power and democracy will be submitted to the Storting.

The government’s efforts to achieve a safe, equitable society will be based on ensuring that the police force is visible and accessible in the local community. A white paper on the role of the police, including an assessment of the police reform, will be submitted to the Storting.

The government will combat organised crime, among other things by establishing a new agency for this purpose.

The efforts to prevent crime, particularly among children and young people, will be continued.

A new bill for a Civil Procedure Act will be put forward.

The government will submit a white paper on regional policy to the Storting.

The Action Plan against Racism will be followed up. The new Act relating to ethnic discrimination will be followed up by the establishment of an ombud for gender equality and ethnic discrimination.

The government will fulfil Norway’s international obligations with regard to indigenous peoples and national minorities. Efforts will be made to facilitate the development of Sami industries and the Sami language.

The government will continue its efforts to improve policies for integrating and including immigrants and refugees in Norwegian society. The government considers it important to strengthen the intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, both in Norway and abroad.

Voluntary work enhances the local community by giving individuals a greater sense of belonging and fellowship. The government will seek to facilitate voluntary activities and will delegate responsibility for co-ordinating them to the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs.

The government attaches importance to the value of art and culture for the individual and for society.

The national church plays a central role in the spiritual life and culture of our society. The government will strengthen religious education.

The government will give high priority to measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An emission allowance trading scheme for carbon dioxide is being planned.

The government will give priority to measures for halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010.

The government will co-operate with NGOs in connection with Outdoor Recreation Year in 2005 with a view to safeguarding opportunities for outdoor recreation and encouraging as many people as possible to take part.

The government will follow up its efforts to preserve the wilderness quality of the polar regions and will develop a protection plan for Jan Mayen.

The government will continue to give priority a high quality school system characterised by greater local freedom of action. It will continue efforts to improve the quality of primary and lower secondary education through competence building, new curricula, longer school days and a good learning and working environment for pupils and teachers.

The government will ensure that the quality reform of higher education continues to be satisfactorily implemented. In May 2005 Norway will be hosting the next ministerial meeting in the Bologna process. The aim is to create a single European area for higher education by 2010.

Efforts will be made to improve the quality of Norwegian research. The government will give priority to enhancing opportunities for innovative research at Norwegian universities and colleges. A white paper on research will be submitted to the Storting.

Creativity is crucial to development in the private sector. The government is pursuing a coherent business policy designed to encourage restructuring, innovation and creative solutions.

The efforts to simplify rules and bureaucratic procedures for the business sector will be continued.

The white paper on shipping policy will be followed up.

The government will ensure economic development in the agricultural sector and the development of new businesses in rural districts.

A white paper on marine sector development and its significance for coastal communities will be submitted to the Storting.

The government’s goal for the petroleum industry is to ensure long-term value creation on the Norwegian continental shelf. The government will give priority to promoting the use of renewable energy resources and natural gas.

The government attaches particular importance to accessibility in its road policy. Priority will be given to more environmentally friendly urban transport systems and public transport. The government will actively seek to improve security for all modes of transport.

The government will continue with the restructuring and modernisation of the defence forces.

The government will strengthen the national crisis management capability, follow up Norway’s strong international engagement and continue to support the UN’s peacebuilding role.

Norway’s security will continue to be based on co-operation in NATO.

Norway will continue to participate actively in the fight against international terrorism.

The government will seek to contribute to positive developments in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The government will continue its strong international engagement and actively support a key role for the United Nations in the international efforts to promote peace, security and development.

The efforts to promote respect for human rights and strengthen the international legal order will be continued.

The government considers it important to strengthen the transatlantic ties and further develop NATO’s co-operation with the EU and the partner countries. Russia’s position in this regard is unique.

The government will continue to pursue an active European policy and further develop the close, constructive co-operation with all the EU Member States on the basis of its European Policy Platform and the EEA Enlargement Agreement.

The government will continue its efforts in the World Trade Organisation to strengthen the multilateral trade regime. In the current round of negotiations the government will give priority to improved market access for Norwegian goods and services, favourable conditions for a viable agricultural sector throughout the country and more equitable trading conditions for the developing countries.

The government will work actively towards the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals, among other things by increasing development assistance to the world’s poor and continuing to promote debt relief.

The government will continue its efforts to promote international recognition and acceptance of the principle of the sustainable use of natural resources.

I pray that God will bless the deliberations of this Storting, and I hereby declare the 149 ^th> session of the Norwegian Storting to be open.

Given at the Royal Palace in Oslo on 24 September 2004