State visit from Great Britain

Your Majesty,
Your Royal Highness,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Britain and Norway share a thousand years of history. There is a long tradition of excellent relations between our two countries, and the family ties are strong. It is therefore with great pleasure that the Queen and I welcome Your Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Your Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh on your third state visit to Norway.

Our two countries have many common interests and are facing the same challenges of a Europe in transition and adjustment to globalization. We have a lot in common in the way we approach these challenges and we both believe in cooperation and dialogue, in the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the promotion of democracy and human rights. For historical, cultural and geographical reasons, our bilateral relations today encompass every field of human endeavour and activity, and every level of society. The North Sea is far from being a barrier, it has served as a channel of communication bringing us closer together. The cooperation between our governments and parliaments is close and extensive, both at the bilateral level and in international organizations.

It is exactly 95 years since the coronation in Nidaros Cathedral of my grandfather, King Haakon VII and Queen Maud, the daughter of Edward VII. And it was entirely natural that the very first state visit by the monarchs of the newly independent Norway should be to the United Kingdom, later that same year. We still remember with appreciation the decisive role played by the United Kingdom when Norway regained its independence in 1905. In 1945, when Norway was able once again to enjoy freedom and democracy, Norwegians were filled with gratitude to the British people for their tremendous war effort. During the Second World War, Britain provided a refuge for my family, for the government in exile, and for thousands of my compatriots. This created new, strong ties between our nations. A symbol of this deep-felt gratitude can still be seen every year when the Norwegian Christmas tree is lit in Trafalgar Square.

Since the Second World War, both the United Kingdom and Norway have attached great importance to the political and military cooperation within NATO, and to the Alliance’s key role in maintaining transatlantic ties. The United Kingdom is Norway’s most important European ally. British forces are essential to NATO’s collective defence capability. They contribute significantly to the allied commitment to Norway’s security. We welcome and value the regular exercises by British and other allied forces in Norway. Furthermore, Britain and Norway are both at the forefront of the efforts to enlarge the Alliance and adapt it to new challenges in a changing world. A recent example of this is the excellent cooperation between British and Norwegian peacekeeping forces in Kosovo. Norway also supports Britain’s efforts to strengthen Europe’s own crisis management capability.

Both our countries are important seafaring nations. Norwegian shipping achieved international importance during the 19th century largely because of the increasing Anglo-Norwegian trade. Today, Norwegian ships continue to carry British goods all over the world. London remains the global centre for the shipping industry, and Norwegian shipping companies are well represented there. It is therefore natural, and for me personally, particularly gratifying, that this visit should also have a maritime touch to it. I am pleased to see the HMS Illustrious and one of the british Sail Training Association’s two new square-riggers with its crew of young trainees together with Norwegian sail training ships anchored in Oslo harbour.

The discovery of petroleum in the North Sea in the late 1960s and early 1970s added yet another major dimension to the relations between our two countries. The offshore activities of exploration, extraction and transportation of petroleum on both sides of the delimitation line in the North Sea are good examples of how friendly nations can cooperate as well as compete in areas of great national and economic importance to each of them. I am confident that we will see increased cooperation and trade between the United Kingdom and Norway in this field.

Today, the United Kingdom is Norway’s largest single trading partner. Norwegian exports to Britain continue to be mainly raw materials, including oil and gas. At the same time, our two countries focuse on information and communication technology. In this field, as in many others, Norwegian companies look to Britain for financing and access to global markets.

To an ever-increasing extent Norwegians cross the North Sea to experience British culture, sport and daily life. Museums of art and famous London productions of theatre and musicals attract us, and Christmas shopping has become quite a legendary tradition. As for sport, the soccer-games are of special interest to many who get quite carried away when one our own players happens to score for Manchester United!

We are also happy to welcome British citizens to our country, knowing that so many are attracted by our mountains and fjords. History says that English hikers taught the Norwegians how to hike in the mountains. I dear say I doubt the truth of such an allegation. But I can agree to the fact that they have contributed to make hiking popular. They started early and they did not only wander, they also wrote about their experiences. The most famous example is the book «Three in Norway by two of them». The preface starts as follows: «Three in Norway is a classic. It was first published in England in 1882, in the glorious era when the savage country of Norway was being discovered by English adventure-seekers with fishing-rod in one hand, rifle in the other and their courage in both».

English is the first foreign language for my countrymen, and the United Kingdom is the most popular destination for young Norwegians who wish to continue their education outside Norway. More than 4000 Norwegians are now studying in Britain. I myself have many good memories from my time in Oxford and I know that our students will continue to develop personal and professional bonds between us in the years to come. Moreover, British universities have been teaching and doing research in Scandinavian studies for many years. Since World War II the interest in studying Norwegian language and litterature at British universities has grown. However, as is the case in many countries, language studies often take a back seat to important new, and perhaps more lucrative, fields of study.

«Culture may even be described simply as
that which makes life worth living»

Thomas S. Eliot once said. Cultural relations between our countries have always been of significant value. The recent major Norwegian presentation was called «Visions of Norway». The programme lasted from the summer of 1999 until the summer of 2000. During this period around one hundred events involving both Norwegian and Bristish artists and art organizations were held in Britain. «Visions of Norway» included guest appearances by the Norwegian National Theatre in Nottingham and Edinburgh. They presented plays by our great master Henrik Ibsen, who has become so familiar to the British that he is sometimes called «Henry Gibson».

I am confident that our relations will remain close and will continue to become deeper and broader. I would now like to ask you all to join me in a toast to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, to the people of the United Kingdom and to the close and friendly relations between our two countries.