Talking points.
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• Let me welcome you to this reception and to Akershus Castle.
• Start by a few words about this historic place. Akershus Castle was founded in the 14th century by King Håkon the fifth Magnusson, who reigned in Norway from 1299 to 1319.
• Located on a cliff overlooking the Oslo fjord the fortress has remained strong and impregnable up through the ages. It has been under siege nine times, but never fallen in battle. It has been fortified and changed throughout the centuries to withstand attacks from foreign enemies. Most attacks, if I may add, came from our good neighbour Sweden. Probably no other countries took the trouble to come all the way up here to conquer us.
• Back in the old times we gained from finding ourselves in the periphery. I am all the more happy that your presence here tonight place us all at the centre of the efforts to move the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) forward.
• Last Friday the Nobel Peace Price Committee, located just up the street from here, awarded the 2006 Award to Professor Muhammed Yunus and Grameen Bank. Grameen bank has helped millions of people find their own way out of poverty through micro credits. These credits are other – and indeed much smaller – sums of money then extractive industries revenue streams. The sums of money we talk of, however, have in common that they have the potential of enabling people to prosper, with their own means, resources and talent as basis. This is why the EITI and Grameen Bank both are highly commendable initiatives.
• Your most important task now is to enjoy yourselves, relax and prepare for an intense day of work tomorrow. Food and wine will shortly be served. Please note that in addition to the buffet in this room, there will be another buffet in the room to my right.
• Before I invite you to serve yourselves from the buffets, I have the pleasure of asking Sigrid Therese Moldestad to play for us. (Thank you).