Your Excellencies
Mr. Chairman
Ladies and gentlemen
friends of Norway and Singapore

The new government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were delighted to be able to accept the kind invitation of Norwegian Business Association Singapore and the Royal Norwegian Embassy of Singapore to participate in the Asia-Norway Business Conference, which has become a tradition. Allow me to say that you have proven to be the most gracious hosts.

The Ministry’s decision to “dispatch” the state secretary in charge of trade policy and energy matters, signals a strong interest in Asia, in the region and in Norwegian interests in this part of the world – as well as the new government’s ambition to shape clear policies on major foreign policy issues.

Close attention to the development in Asia ranks high on this agenda. I have come here not only to share some thoughts with you – but also to learn. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all speakers for their interesting and instructive lectures, helpfully providing increased understanding of topical Asian issues. Thus – I cannot match their insight on Asia, so I will provide you – as a politician with some bullet points, which may serve to high light the general profile of our new government.

I will freely admit this: The new government is excited about the opportunities entailed in the encouragement of the voters to form a majority government. A majority government is empowered to realise its objectives and to meet its targets. We have been given a great opportunity – which we face with enthusiasm and respect. We shoulder this responsibility with some basic undertakings:.

1. We will not blame others for our own mistakes – and we recognise the valuable work which has been done by others (including our predecessors), which we may build on.
   
2. We will shape our policies in an open environment, encouraging in-put as far as possible from all parties concerned in our decision-making process.
   
3. We will stress the freedom of the individual in our policies. We support the individual’s right to make choices in his or her life. We believe that this freedom is best exercised within the framework of strong communities.
   
4. We will be guided by our appreciation of the fact that the creation of wealth and production must precede decisions on allocation and distribution.

Having thus tested your ability to tolerate lofty principles (and you did well), let us move to some key issues in our foreign policy: Let me tell you about our firm decisions:

• Our decision is – “steady as she goes” – on NATO membership
• Our decision is – “steady as she goes” – on EEA membership
• Our decision is – “steady as she goes” – on non-membership in EU

This does not preclude:

1. an increasingly closer cooperation with other European countries, on the contrary.
2. a continued effort to maintain a common legal order in Europe – allowing us to enjoy the benefits of shared standards, market access and recognizable rules within Europe – in all cross border activities.
3. increased focus on coordinating Norwegian impact on the EU decision-making process – particularly within the framework of the EEA.

- A priority is the policies of the High North, which will be Norway’s most important strategic priority in the years to come. Please note the time perspective! Te government acknowledges the complexity of issues raised by our ambitions for the High North. But rest assured: our political determination to safeguard and develop Norway’s economic, environmental and security interests in the High North will outlast every difficulty. The government will not hesitate to exercise Norwegian sovereignty (based on the legal foundation of the law of the seas) in the High North. We will carefully and conscientiously, continue to manage the rich fisheries and energy sector resources there. Dialogue and co-operation with Russia will play a key role.
- We will also give priority to efforts to combat poverty – possibly the most prevailing expression of the violation of basic human rights. We support the UN Millennium Development Goal of halving extreme poverty by 2015.
- We will focus on a strengthened ambition for high environmental standards created on an international level.
- We will work hard on peace efforts, and embrace further engagements aimed at creating and protecting peace. The government will promote a UN-led world order based on international law.

In the acknowledgement of Norway’s open economy and its vulnerabilities:

- the government guarantees a strong focus on the successful conclusion of the negotiations for a viable international trade regime under the WTO agreements. The Government is – as is many other countries – including Singapore – putting their full attention to the talks leading up to the Hong Kong December Ministerial conference. We are confident that Hong Kong will produce results, although obviously – the scope of the success remains unclear. We strive to attain an equitable trade policy, taking into account food safety, development, the environment and social and labour rights. On the agenda for the negotiations have been tariff reductions, reductions on agricultural subsidies, market access for non-agricultural products like fish, and guidelines for further negotiations on trade in services and amendments to anti-dumping measure provisions. This week’s meetings in Geneva show that we have to recalibrate our ambitions for the Hong Kong ministerial conference – but not for the round of negotiations as such.

Let me move on to the relationship between Norway – Singapore. Professor Tommy Koh certainly convinced me in his talk yesterday that the converging areas of interest between the two countries are many. Norway and Singapore enjoy excellent bilateral relations. I would like to point to another common feature between our two countries – with words shamelessly “lifted” from one of Professor Koh’s publications: “Size is not destiny.” Size may indeed be an incentive rather than a restriction. Singapore’s strong focus on education, technology and international competitiveness with regard to R & D inspire and reflect our own ambitions.

Our countries’ close cooperation on R & D in the maritime sector involves both universities and the shipping sector and serves as a model for practically applicable research efforts. There are other encouraging examples of Norwegian-Singaporean cooperation:

1. Norwegian rig orders in Singapore and the purchase of Norwegian components to the rigs.
2. The Proliferation Security Initiative – maritime security (with other countries).
3. Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs: cooperation on R & D on maritime security.
4. State visit of King Harald and Queen Sonja spawned an interest in Norwegian services and products in oil/gas and seafood, which we are happy about and would like to se develop further.
5. The large Norwegian business community in Singapore is a testament to the hospitality of Singapore as a business host nation.

These factors have created a bond between our two countries.

I will also like to give a few comments on the South East Asia region and the development of Asia:

Norway recognises the higher priority given to private sector development in a development perspective by the UN, the World Bank and other multilateral organisations. Norway will continue to support private sector development and the energy sector in a number of Asian countries.

Vietnam is an example. Norway has a new commercial counsellor in Hanoi – entrusted with the task of developing business relations as part of a development objective. We have contributed to the Vietnamese fisheries sector and the oil and gas sector areas where Norway has much to offer. The integration of the activities of the former Norwegian Trade Council into the foreign service also aims at promoting Norwegian business and industry abroad.

China’s importance as a bilateral partner for Norway is growing – covering a wide range of areas. One example is environmental technology. Norway supports China’s efforts in improving the environment – also encouraging the opportunities for Norwegian suppliers in this area. China is Norway’s largest trading partner in Asia. The frequency of high-level meetings reflect China’s importance. Six Norwegian ministers have visited China the first six months of 2005.

The Indian Ambassador to Norway is quoted as follows: “Not a day goes by without a Fortune 500 CEO announcing his discovery of India à la Vasco da Gama.” Norway – also – is in the process of being an “explorer” in India. Norway has recently prepared an action plan for India, with increased trade and greater Norwegian private sector in India as key objectives – we focus on areas of expertise – oil and gas, hydropower, maritime, aquaculture, fisheries and bio-technology. A commercial counsellor is in place at the New Delhi embassy.

Let us not forget Japan – Norway has close and active political and economic relations with Japan, and hope to develop these further.

We have taken note of the booming Sino-Indian trade. We encourage you – as players in the Asian markets – to consider the impact of this trade on your strategy for business in Asia. It increases competition – for sure – but may there also be business opportunities? We learned yesterday that trade patterns are dynamic, volatile and that major “suns in the solar system” are India, China and Japan and that they impact the whole region.

We listen with interest to your hopes for ASEAN as a neutral arena, a mediator and a facilitator to prevent the past from poisoning an otherwise bright future for Asia. We see that ASEAN has become important with not only a regional but also a global impact. Issues discussed in ASEAN will thus have a direct bearing on Norway and Norwegian interests in the region. We are interested to learn of the out-come of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia next month. The ASEAN bilateral meetings with China, Japan an India and dialogue with Australia and New Zealand further underline the strategic importance of ASEAN.

I’ll close off on that note, and end my remarks by again – thanking all of you – for contributing to our understanding of the region by sharing your insight and views on South East Asia and the Norway-Singapore bilateral relationship.

Thank you.