Norwegian foreign policy in the age of globalisation: views from the outside

Speaking points for Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre’s introduction
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• First, a few words on “Refleks – globalisation and national interests”: a two-year project to identify key Norwegian interests, explore the challenges and opportunities of globalisation, examine how these challenges and opportunities can be addressed by Norway, and suggest priorities for Norwegian foreign policy. The project will conclude with the submission of a white paper to the Storting in late 2008 or early 2009 (which will be translated into English).
• I am extending an invitation. I want a broad cross-section of Norwegian society to participate in the debate. An open process, open meetings, constructive discussions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a “knowledge-driven” organisation.
• I often find a high level of knowledge and engagement in foreign policy issues at schools and universities in Norway, at all levels. And the debate in Norway is now perhaps beyond “yes-or-no-to-EU-membership debate”. Now there are many more groupings, many “boxes” – not just the two; people have a wide range of views, and are not just concerned with one defining issue. There is room for even more debate in Norway, both on foreign policy directions, strategies and tactics – and on Norway’s scope of action. I like to say that we must “test our reflexes” – however, we must also reflect, we need a process of reflection.
• Globalisation means that Norwegian society is closely connected with the outside world in all areas: security (the ISAF’s efforts in Afghanistan relate not only to global security, but also to our own), the economy, knowledge, culture, identity, etc. The world has become more complex. Sources of power and influence are changing.
• New methods, instruments and arenas are becoming important. States are finding new ways of safeguarding their interests and achieving their foreign policy goals. New issues, new actors, new arenas, new foreign policy methods and instruments. New challenges. Climate change, energy, health, China and India, multinational companies, NGOs, ad hoc alliances and initiatives, public diplomacy… So, are we keeping up with the changing realities? What is our scope of action?
• Our foreign policy is based on our geography, history, values and principles, resources (renewable and non-renewable) and relationships – so quite a few factors are “set” or “given”.
• Our foreign policy is designed to take care of Norway’s national interests (e.g. the High North), and to promote global goals and values and the common good (e.g. solidarity, peace, conflict resolution, human rights, democracy, the fight against poverty, good governance).
• What are the key Norwegian interests in a globalised world? How are our interests affected by globalisation trends? Energy security is high on the agenda. We can deliver. But we also have high ambitions in the efforts to prevent climate change. What are Norway’s foreign policy choices in a changing global environment? What are the key issues that require our attention, and where can we make a difference, where should we engage? How can we develop more effective international cooperation and efforts to promote global governance in response to these issues?
• What about the “foreign policy roles” of the different Norwegian counties and municipalities, for example those bordering on Sweden and Finland?
• Some thoughts on Nordic cooperation today. There are various “anchors”. Sweden, Finland and Denmark are EU members. Norway, Denmark and Iceland are NATO members. Denmark and Norway are now cooperating with Iceland on defence at Keflavik. Our individual and our common relations with Russia. Discussions on closer trilateral security policy cooperation (Norway, Sweden, Finland). Meeting in Bodø 9-10 October.
• Norway’s policy of engagement (peace and reconciliation efforts). “A surplus nation”. Norway’s open economy. Popular support for our obligation to assist, to engage, when/where we can make a difference, areas where we can work closely with others, e.g. health, GAVI, the vaccine alliance. We need to be strategic. Use opportunities. Is Norway a “small country”? (Population, land territory, sea, resources, gas, oil, fish exports).
• Globalisation and the High North – both national interests and global interests. The Norwegian coastline and our coast/sea perspective vs. the Swedish and Finnish inland perspective. Common border to Russia. Energy province. LNG shipments. Iceland on the main transport route – east/west. Fishery management. Climate change. The polar ice is melting. Migration, people-to-people contacts, increasing number of border crossings. Sailing routes, passages. The effects of climate change in the north on the rest of the world. Svalbard’s research stations, interest from India, China, etc.
• New challenges. E.g. global health/foreign policy, terrorism, poverty, MDGs 4 and 5. New partnerships and alliances (Norway, Indonesia, Brazil – health issues).
• How to you see Norway from abroad? We all stand to gain from scrutiny from the outside, and we will benefit greatly from hearing your views. What are the challenges that we have to meet? What are our opportunities? What is our scope of action?
• This seminar today is a continuation of the discussions we had here two days ago, this time with a different perspective: the views of distinguished foreign experts. I would like to welcome in particular Christoph Bertram, Ulla Gudmundson, Raja Mohan and Ivo Daalder, all prominent experts on foreign policy. You will provide us with “views from the outside”, that is from Berlin, Stockholm, New Delhi/Singapore and Washington. Views on the opportunities, limitations and scope for action afforded to a country like Norway in an era when global issues are becoming increasingly important for national interests. It is important for us to have input and advice from a broad range of experts and people with valuable experience – both from Norway and abroad. It is important that we present the complexities of the “new”, globalised world. I encourage you to be frank both in the presentations and the discussions. As on last Monday, the Refleks project team from the Foreign Ministry will listen and take notes.