Speeches and articles

Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Europe: Strengthening the Impact of the Council of Europe’s Activities

Strasbourg, 16 May 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 16.05.2013]

- We meet at a very important moment. As we here from the Secretary General the founding principles of this organisation, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are again under pressure in Europa. We have to take that very seriously, said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, in his statement at the Council of Europe's meeting.

The Niwano Peace Prize to Gunnar Stålsett

Tokyo, 16 May 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 16.05.2013]

Ambassador Arne Walther gave this message on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Espen Barth Eide, at the award ceremony.

National statement by Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide

Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, Kiruna, 15 May 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15.05.2013]

"The great interest that that non-Arctic states are taking in the coming observership is a tribute to the good work we have done together. I think it is very important to welcome the new observers and to appreciate their interest to working with us on the basis of the principles that we have agreed to”, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said at the Arctic Council Ministerial meeting in Kiruna, 15 May.

Together for a new Mali

Brussels, 15 May 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15.05.2013]

- The people of northern Mali have been brutally suppressed by extremist groups. They need our special attention, said Minister of International Development, Mr. Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås in his address at the the international conference on Mali in Brussels.

Biannual address to the Storting on important EU and EEA matters

Oslo, 14 May 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 14.05.2013]

"Our close and active dialogue with the EU on Arctic issues has over time resulted in a very positive development in EU views in this area", said Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his biannual address to the Storting.

Public Financial Management

Somalia Conference, London, 7 May 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 07.05.2013]

- The sun shines on London - the same sun shines on Mogadishu. Let the same commitment that we are showing here today, be visible to the people of Mogadishu and the rest of Somalia, said Minister of International Development Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås at the Somalia Conference.

Democracy and the Millennium Development Goals

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 29 April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 29.04.2013]

- Democracy should be a part of the post-MDG discussion. You cannot really achieve genuine development without participation, and you cannot really have participation without democracy, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide at the Community of Democracies Ministerial Conference' panel discussion.

The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

Security Council meeting, 24 April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 24.04.2013]

- Norway is committed to a democratic and unified post-Assad Syria. Military means alone will not lead to a lasting solution in Syria. Therefore the Security Council must find a way to promote a political transition towards a pluralistic, fully representative Syria, based on the Geneva communiqu., said UN ambassador Geir O. Pedersen in Norway's statement.

Crisis as a test of commitment to values of equity, solidarity and universal coverage

Keynote speech at the WHO Euro conference

[Ministry of Health and Care Services, 24.04.2013]

High-level Technical meeting on the implications of the financial crisis on health systems in the WHO Euro Region, Oslo, 17 April

Raising the Bar for Responsible Business

Foreword to Human Rights Due Diligence in the Supply Chain, April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 24.04.2013]

- Businesses, to a far greater extent than before, are engaged in supply chain operations where there are human rights challenges, write Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Espen Barth Eide, and Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Trond Giske, in their foreword to the guidelines Human Rights Due Diligence in the Supply Chain.

Future strategic priorities for the Barents cooperation

Harstad, 24 April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 24.04.2013]

- I am very pleased to be back in Harstad – and to be able to celebrate 20 years of successful cooperation in the Barents region with you, said State Secretary Torgeir Larsen in his speech at the 6th Barents parlamentary conference in Harstad.

The Barents Parliamentary Conference

The Barents Parliamentary Conference (day two) in Harstad, Norway, 22-24 April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 23.04.2013]

"The overall results have far exceeded our expectations. The Barents Cooperation has been important not just for Norway, not just for the Barents Region. It has been important for Europe – it has served as an example of successful post cold war cooperation across old dividing lines", State Secretary Torgeir Larsen said in his speech at The Barents Parliamentary Conference in Harstad, Norway, 23 April 2013.

The Equal Futures Partnership: From promise to progress

Washington D.C., 18 April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18.04.2013]

Minister of International Development, Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås' speech at the World Bank–IMF Spring Meeting in Washington D.C on 18 April 2013.

Opening Remarks Cyber Conference 2013

[Ministry of Defence, 18.04.2013]

State Secretary for Defence, Eirik Øwre Thorshaug (Norwegian Labour Party)

Open debate on Women, peace and security

New York (UN), 17 April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 17.04.2013]

- Promoting and supporting the broad Women, Peace and Security agenda is a priority for the Nordic governments. It is part of our joint efforts to foster gender equality and international peace and security, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide in his statement to the Security Council on behalf of the Nordic countries.

Introductory remarks on the re-opening of the United Nations Security Council Chamber

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 16.04.2013]

"It is a true honor for me to be present here today, and for Norway to take part in the restoration of this historic room – possibly the most important room in the world", said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Bart Eide on the occasion of the re-opening of the United Nations Security Council Chamber.

Statement at South Sudan International Partner Forum

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 16.04.2013]

- This International Partner Forum comes at the right time. Oil has started to flow again. Still in small quantities, but it will increase. They must be busy in the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining, in the new building I was very happy to open in July last year, said Minister of International Development, Mr. Holmås, at the South Sudan International Partner Forum's meeting.

How states abolish the death penalty

A publication by The International Commission against the Death Penalty. Foreword by Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 16.04.2013]

"Norway gives high priority to the fight against the death penalty, and we oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. Killing sanctioned by the state dehumanises society", Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide writes in his foreword in a publication by The International Commission against the Death Penalty.

Sharing for prosperity

New York University, 16 April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 16.04.2013]

"The American dream is dying in the US, but it is still alive and kicking in Norway", the Minister of International Development Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås said in a speech at the New York University on 16 April 2013.

Opening Speech at Conference on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Oslo, 15-16 April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15.04.2013]

- Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people continue to face discrimination and violence. Simply for being who they are. LGBT people are entitled to claim and enjoy their rights – just like anyone else. It is our duty, as political and societal leaders, to take every possible step to assist civil society in this struggle, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide at the opening of the conference.

Launch of the ICDP publication “How States abolish the death penalty”

Oslo City Hall, 15 April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15.04.2013]

- We must make sure that countries choose to be part of this international movement away from the death penalty, said State Secretary Gry Larsen when she launched the last ICDP report "How States abolish the death penalty".

Global Thematic Consultation on Energy and the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Oslo 9 April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09.04.2013]

Recovery from the crisis – Coherent policies for growth and jobs

ILO meeting in Oslo, 8 to 11 April 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09.04.2013]

- We see a weakening of social protection and an undermining of rights. We must insist on upholding standards and rights, especially in times of crisis, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide in his introductory remarks at the panel discussion.

How to tackle the consequences of the financial crisis? - Speech at ILO regional meeting

Oslo, 8 April 2013

[The Office of the Prime Minister, 08.04.2013]

- We need to implement measures now to avoid a major social crisis and political backlash. This is the main political challenge we face in Europe today, prime minister Stoltenberg said at ILOs regional meeting in Oslo today.

Opening statement at Baltic Sea Summit

St Petersburg, 5 April 2013

[The Office of the Prime Minister, 05.04.2013]

“Voices of the future – Afghanistan after 2014”. 4 April 2013. Opening remarks

[Ministry of Defence, 04.04.2013]

“Voices of the future – Afghanistan after 2014”. 4 April 2013. Opening remarks at Afghan Embassy seminar in Oslo from Minister of Defense Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen.

The changing global energy map

Nordic Energy Summit, Hotel Continental, Oslo, 21 March 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 21.03.2013]

“ There will be winners and losers - in geopolitical terms – of a fast-changing energy landscape. This means that some countries will have more policy space and while other countries will have less policy space”, said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide at the Nordic Energy Summit in Oslo on 21 March 2013..

The Arctic - Norwegian Perspectives

Brussels, 20 March 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 20.03.2013]

“We will continue the constructive cooperation on Arctic issues with the EU and welcome EU’s increased engagement. We share the commitment for sustainable development, regional cooperation and engaging with Russia”, said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in his speech at the Political and Security Committee in the EU on 20 March 2013 in Brussels.

Opening address at the meeting of the AHLC

Brussels, 19 March 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 19.03.2013]

"Our common goal is to promote a two-state solution", said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide when he opened the AHLC meeting in Brussels.

Remarks by Espen Barth Eide after his meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry

Washington D.C., 12 March 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12.03.2013]

"-but the United States is also such an important partner in so many global issues. That means the crosscutting issues, as was mentioned, the climate change and the whole issue of the Arctic, which requires close cooperation of all Arctic states and all the concerned states, the issue of global health", Espen Barth Eide said after his meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry, 12 March 2013 in Washington DC.

Final remarks at Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons

Oslo, 5 March 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 05.03.2013]

- It just remains for me to say thank you again yet again, and I wish you a safe journey home. We will hopefully meet again. The conference is adjourned, said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, when he concluded the cenonfrence.

Chair’s summary Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons

Oslo, 4 – 5 March 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 05.03.2013]

"It is unlikely that any state or international body could address the immediate humanitarian emergency caused by a nuclear weapon detonation in an adequate manner and provide sufficient assistance to those affected", said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, in his summary.

Opening Statement at Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons

Oslo, 4-5 March 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 04.03.2013]

"While a full-scale nuclear exchange seems less likely, I believe that the risk that one or a few nuclear weapons would intentionally be used is higher today than it was a few decades ago. (…) This conference takes a different starting point. It puts the humanitarian consequences of actual use of nuclear weapons at the centre", said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Eide in his opening statement.

Speech at dinner for President Thein Sein, Myanmar

Akershus Castle, 26 February 2013

[The Office of the Prime Minister, 26.02.2013]

Operation Gunnerside 70th Anniversary Commemoration

[Ministry of Defence, 26.02.2013]

Vemork - 26. february 2013, State Secretary for Defence, Eirik Øwre Thorshaug (Norwegian Labour party)

Extractive governance – emerging norms of transparency roundtable

Oslo, 25 February 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 25.02.2013]

"Obviously we feel we have a special relationship to EITI with our early and strong support, our own implementation of the initiative, and not least the secretariat being located here", said Minister of International Development Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås in his keynote speech at the EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) seminar in Oslo.

Reclaiming the Protection of Civilians under International Humanitarian Law

Regional seminar in Vienna, 21 and 22 February 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 21.02.2013]

- In the case of Syria, Norway is seeking to secure the engagement of states that may be able to influence the parties to the conflict in Syria and remind them of their obligation to respect international humanitarian law and to protect health workers, hospitals and ambulances, said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Eide, in his statement.

Ministerial meeting of the Northern Dimension

Brussels, 18 February 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18.02.2013]

- The Northern Dimension has unique features that compliment the other regional structures in the North. Result-oriented partnerships are the backbone of the Northern Dimension. Projects under the partnerships are of great importance for people living in the Northern Dimension area, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Eide at the ministerial meeting.

Women in work: The Norwegian experience

Published in OECD Observer No 293 Q4 November 2012

[Ministry of Finance, 14.02.2013]

High female participation in the workforce has a decisive effect on a country's performance, as Norway shows. Any country's main asset is its workforce, and Norway, with its oil wealth, is no exception.

Seminar on the importance of Climate Services

Oslo, 12 February 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12.02.2013]

"The success of the Global Framework depends on the efforts put into it by all relevant organisations and institutes all over the world. Norway stands ready to contribute in the process ahead. We hope you do too. We need all of you – broad participation and partnerships is the key to success. So, let’s stop talking about the weather, let’s start preparing for changes", Minister of International Development Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås said in his opening statement at a seminar in Oslo 12 February 2013.

Foreign policy address to the Storting February 2013

The Storting, 12 February 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12.02.2013]

"In the Government’s foreign policy priorities, the promotion of human rights and democracy has a central place. In this year’s budget we therefore decided to significantly increase the allocation to measures that promote a more proactive human rights policy", said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide in his address.

Lasting Ties in Changing Times

Nobel Institute, Leangkollen Conference, 11 February 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 11.02.2013]

- The transatlantic bonds remain strong. They should remain strong. It is clearly in our interest to keep them strong. But they are not keeping themselves strong. They require investment on both sides of the Atlantic, said Minister of Foreign Affairs on the Leangkollen Conference.

Changing norms in the emerging world order and the ethics of trade

ISFiT 2013, Trondheim 7 February 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 07.02.2013]

"Trade and communication across national borders is beneficial for the world. Global trade creates interdependency between countries, which is a good thing", said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in his introduction about changing norms in the global economy.

Statement at the International Humanitarian Conference for Syria

Kuwait City, 30 January 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30.01.2013]

"The need for humanitarian assistance to Syria keeps increasing. (..) Norway therefore pledges NOK 210 million (about USD 38 Million) for humanitarian assistance to Syria and the regional response plan", said State Secretary Torgeir Larsen at the conference.

Empowering local actors to counter violent extremism

[Ministry of Justice and Public Security, 29.01.2013]

Speech by Grete Faremo, Minister of Justice and Public Security, at the European Commission's High-Level Conference "Empowering Local Actors to Prevent Violent Extremism", Brussels, 29 January 2013.

The International Willy Brandt prize

Berlin, 24 January 2013

[The Office of the Prime Minister, 25.01.2013]

Every Woman, Every Child

Davos, 24 January 2013

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 24.01.2013]

"The Global Campaign for the Health Millennium Development Goals presents a broad coalition working together to improve the health of children and mothers: governments, multilateral organisations, nongovernmental organisations and the private sector", said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide in his remarks in Davos.

A policy perspective on how ICT has acted as an enabler for a vibrant, entrepreneurial region

[Ministry of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs, 23.01.2013]

Intervention by the Norwegian Minister of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs, Ms Rigmor Aasrud at "Challenging the Nordic and Baltic ICT Powerhouse", a high-level seminar to explore both successes and shortfalls of Northern Competitiveness.

The Prime Minister's address to the Storting on the terrorist attack in Algeria

[The Office of the Prime Minister, 23.01.2013]

Opening Remarks at International Health Conference

Oslo, 22 January

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 22.01.2013]

"Today I have the pleasure of presenting the 2013 report of the Global Campaign. The report explores innovative and cutting edge findings on how to accelerate progress in saving women’s and children’s lives in the coming decade. And it is for exactly this reason that we are here today, to get results", said Minister of Foreign Affairs Eide in his opening remarks.