The Swiss Parlament

Mr President,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me first, Mr President, express our sincere appreciation both for your kind words and for the warm welcome we have received here in Switzerland. I would also like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to address this assembly of distinguished representatives.

Switzerland and Norway have always enjoyed excellent relations. I think there are many reasons for this, a significant one being the many similarities that exist between our countries and our peoples.

Both our countries are blessed with spectacular and beautiful nature. Thousands of years of living among high mountains, deep valleys and wild rivers has taught us the importance of living in harmony with nature. More than many other countries, we depend on nature, and we have learned to respect it. We share concerns about the environment, and we are trying to make wise decisions to safeguard our future.

Switzerland and Norway are modern nations. We are both focusing on innovation and technological development. But we are also making efforts to ensure that our societies develop in a sustainable way. We share an interest in renewable energy. In Norway, attempts are being made to increase the share of energy we consume from renewable and non-polluting sources. As a result of our common goals in this field, Swiss and Norwegian companies are cooperating on wind farm projects.

The natural features of our two countries make building infrastructure a demanding task. Road tunnels have to be blasted through the mountains, and we have to pay special attention to road safety. It is no coincidence that the world’s two longest tunnels are found in Switzerland and Norway. With our common challenges in this area, it is sensible for us to cooperate. Indeed a forum for such cooperation – a seminar on road safety, tunnel building and avalanches – is being held here in Bern today.

Mr President,
Switzerland and Norway both depend on international cooperation on free trade. We were co-founders of the European Free Trade Association forty-six years ago, and we still cooperate closely within this organisation today. Common characteristics in the agricultural sector have also made us partners in the ongoing WTO negotiations.

Both of our countries are facing a Europe in transition. Although Norway is not part of the EU, it is important for us. We cooperate closely with the EU, and we pursue a proactive European policy. We promote development in Europe, and we consider that reducing social and economic disparities in Europe is also in our interest.

Norway’s northerly position in Europe means that cooperation with the countries of the High North is of great importance to us. This cooperation has a major impact on security, energy and environmental issues. Of course, the different cultures and languages in the region constitute a challenge. Here I am sure we can learn a lot from studying Switzerland.

Switzerland is a crossroads at the heart of continental Europe. As one of the most multicultural countries in Europe you have formed a single nation with four official languages, a large number of dialects and a diverse cultural heritage. You have successfully integrated people of many nationalities. Within your borders, you have a city that almost forms a separate state of its own, with a myriad of languages and cultures. I am referring of course to Geneva, where the Queen and I yesterday visited some of the many international organisations the city is home to. The international atmosphere is truly amazing, and quite unique in Europe.

The Swiss humanitarian tradition is well known throughout the world, and it has many of its roots in Geneva. Henri Dunant founded the International Red Cross in 1863, and in 1901 he was the first Nobel peace laureate to receive the prize in Oslo. Dunant inspired others to follow in his footsteps. One of these was the Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen, whose groundbreaking humanitarian work saved countless lives in Eastern Europe. In the spirit of Dunant and Nansen, Switzerland and Norway continue to place great emphasis on human rights in international affairs.

Albert Einstein once said: “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.” One of the main priorities of the Norwegian government is to prevent and resolve international conflicts and to promote peace and development. This is a priority that our two nations share. The peace-building efforts in Sri Lanka are one example of our collaboration in this field. Our common interests and priorities are also reflected in the seminar on the Role of Human Rights in Peace Agreements that is being held in Bern today.

Norway was one of the founding nations of the UN. A world order based on UN principles is in our interests. After Switzerland joined the UN, this has been another forum for cooperation between our two countries. Norway strongly supports the ongoing reform process in the UN, and appreciates the Swiss efforts to promote a more modern and more effective world organisation.

Our two countries share the same values and ideals, and we cooperate well together. I am confident that the ties between our countries will grow even closer, and that our relations will continue to strengthen in the future.

Thank you.