25th Anniversary in Berlin

Your Majesties,
Presidents,
Royal Highnesses,
Dear Friends,
Liebe Freunde

We decided to all of us do this slightly differently, the introduction, so we can see some of the ways it can be done. The Finnish President, he mentioned that the Finnish come very high on this happiness index. One year Norway came second or third, I think, and Norwegians, when they saw that, it was a big news in Norway, and we were very surprised. Are we really that happy? I think we were equally surprised that we found that Finnish, again and again, they top the list.

Thank you so much for the warm welcome here in Berlin.

The Crown Princess and I are very happy to be back, only one year after our last visit. Being at the Berlin Wall Memorial last November to commemorate the fall of the wall in 1989, made a deep impression on us.

It was a reminder of recent history that divided, but also shaped this city. In fact, the fall of the Berlin wall also shaped our generation of European teenagers.

We appreciate very much once again to take part in an historic event here in the German capital.

Germany and Norway are close friends and partners in Europe; a relationship Norway highly values. Together, we experience a genuine and deep-rooted mutual interest. We appreciate the openness Germany has shown and continue to show us up in the North.

As Germany’s largest energy supplier, we cooperate closely with Germany on energy, and we want to go united into the green transition. We have more industrial defense cooperation with Germany than with any other country in Europe.

For Norwegian readers, Germany is a literary superpower. We look to classic and contemporary German writers for deeper understanding and for high literary quality.

Norway is proud and grateful to be the Guest of Honour at the Leipziger Buchmesse in March 2025, just as we were in Frankfurt in 2019.

As these examples illustrate, our bilateral relations are multifaceted and constantly evolving with the times.

Today, here at the Nordic Embassy Complex, we mark the 25th anniversary of the first and only place in the world where all Nordic embassies share, collaborate and deepen ties together on a daily basis. It represents more than a building and a shared space. And Berlin is a most fitting place for such an endeavor. A capital that symbolizes unification and collaboration – in Germany, and in Europe.

We share common values, some of which have already been touched upon today. We cooperate closely in an ever-changing European landscape, and we are allies in NATO. A NATO now enlarged with our fellow Nordic friends, Finland and Sweden. Moreover, we share a strong commitment to promoting peace and security. We also share the view that a rules-based world order is paramount, even among friends.

Our relationship – both within the Nordic countries and between Germany and the Nordics – is built upon trust, respect and openness.

German friends, thank you for your dedication to safeguarding European security in close kinship with the Nordic neighbors and allies. Norway greatly values this friendship, and we remain committed to continue working closely together.

Just as the buildings surrounding us here today represent continuity; I am confident that the enduring relationship between our nations also will stand the test of time.

Vielen Dank und herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Jubiläum!