Innlegg på norsk-israelsk nærings- og forskningsseminar

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Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure for me to welcome you all to this Norwegian-Israeli business and research seminar. I am happy to see so many businesses and research institutions represented here today. I would like to thank the research Council of Norway for hosting and organizing this event. I would also like to thank the many partners that have cooperated to make this seminar possible.

Our two countries have enjoyed close and strong ties since the establishment of Israel in 1948. There have been close relations at the political level and between our labour movements. Our peoples have also developed strong bonds at a more personal level. Scores of Norwegians have done volunteer work in Israeli kibbutzim. Many more have experienced Israel as tourists. Large Norwegian contingents to the many multinational peace keeping forces in the region, contributing to security in the Middle East, have given many Norwegians first hand knowledge of Israel.

These strong Norwegian-Israeli relations led Norway to commit itself to the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. This commitment remains very strong and deep-rooted in Norwegian society and political life.

Norway and Israel have at times had differing political views as regards how to promote a development towards lasting and sustainable peace between the Palestinians and Israel. It is a matter of urgency that Israel steps forward and facilitates progress on the ground in order to stabilise and improve the Palestinian economy. Sustainable economic growth in the Palestinian Territory will also be beneficial to the Israeli economy and security as a whole. Frank and candid discussion of this question is both valuable and necessary. However, I believe it is essential that political dialogue on this matter forms part of broad and robust relations. We should therefore aim to explore areas that are suitable for cooperation. Business, trade and research are obvious candidates.

The bilateral relations between Norway and Israel are good. There are frequent cultural exchanges. I am very pleased to note that Norwegian writers, artists, theatre companies and other representatives of Norwegian cultural life are greeted with open arms by the Israeli public. I hope to see more Israeli culture in Norway in the future.

There is, however, room to improve our trade relations and cooperation in several fields of research. In our dialogue on research and business cooperation, the Israeli authorities have shown great interest in energy, environmental technology, medicine and ICT. These are areas in which Norwegian research institutions and industrial companies have extensive expertise and broad networks. It was therefore natural to put energy, environmental technology, medicine and ICT on our agenda here today. I would now like to say a few words about these areas of high priority for both Norway and Israel. 

As one of the world’s largest exporters of oil and gas, Norway has long taken responsibility for tackling problems caused by climate change. The Government’s pledge to become carbon-neutral by the year 2050 is the clearest illustration of that commitment, and Norway can already boast of having the cleanest oil and gas production in the world. But Norway’s dedication to solving climate problems is both broad and deep, particularly when it comes to research and development in the area of power generation.

Norway’s ambition is to be an environmentally friendly energy nation and to become a world leader in the development of environmentally friendly energy technologies. We are in an excellent position to do this by developing power generated by wind, waves, water or salinity. The solution is renewable energy.

Strong governmental and societal interest in renewable energy has led to comprehensive research and development projects at Norway’s universities, and at research institutes and industrial companies. The projects range from hydrogen, bio-energy and wind power to solar cell technology research. 

Norwegian institutions are also investing a lot of effort and resources in research and development in various fields of medicine, such as cancer research and alternative medicine.

Norway is well advanced in information and communications technology (ICT), and Norwegians are among the most wired people on the planet. ICT is a natural part of life here, and Norwegian scientists and engineers have created innovative ICT technologies through focused research and development. Whether cutting-edge electromagnetic imaging, tiny sensors that will revolutionise science and medicine, or more traditional products such as new types of mobile phone applications, computer games and search engines, the ICT solutions of tomorrow have come to Norway today.

To bolster bilateral cooperation in the area of business, trade and research, I believe it is important to establish a framework for research and development activities. Norway is ready to commence bilateral discussions with Israel with a view to concluding a Memorandum of Understanding on research and development cooperation. Initially, these discussions will explore which fields of cooperation our two countries could benefit most from.

Let me conclude by urging you all to use this opportunity to discuss and explore possible projects of mutual interest. I also encourage you to make use of the many representatives present from the various ministries, our embassy and consul in Tel Aviv, Innovation Norway and the Norwegian Research council. They can help you make useful contacts here today. 

I wish you all an interesting and fruitful seminar.

Thank you.