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Ambassadors,

Friends,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me begin by giving a heartfelt thanks to Ambassador Nicolas de la Grandville – for a wonderful speech, but more importantly, for his time as the EU’s ambassador to Norway.

As a former Chief of Protocol, you really are the perfect diplomat.

But during your time here in Norway, you have been even more than that. You clearly have a heart for bringing Europe closer to Norway – and Norway closer to Europe.

You have continuously shown a genuine commitment to achieving the best outcomes – for both the EU and Norway.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you from Norway for your service. You will be greatly missed.

You have been a magnificent representative for the EU in Norway. Thank you.

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And to everyone in the room: My warmest congratulations on Europe Day!

I have been asked to say a few words today about the relationship between Norway and the EU.

But I think that you, Ambassador, were more accurate, when instead of the word “relationship”, you used the words “neighbours, partners, allies and friends”.

Because, to me, “friends” is the best word for describing Norway and the EU.

Norway is perhaps the country in the world that is most closely integrated in the EU, without being a member.

Today, we need the friendship between Norway and the EU more than ever before.

We live in an increasingly dangerous world: a longstanding war in Ukraine, a war in Iran, volatile financial markets.

Ursula von der Leyen has said that “Europe is in a fight”. A fight, she says, to keep Europe together, as a peaceful continent – free, democratic and independent.

One month ago, Peter Magyar won the Hungarian elections. The Norwegian prime minister spoke to him a few days later, saying it is good news for Norway that Magyar wants a closer relationship with the EU and Nato.

It is good news, because Norway, and the EU, and Europe, all need to stand together.

It is more difficult than before to act as a united Europe, a European union. And, similarly, it is more difficult to be a small country, to be Norway.

Our response to those difficulties could be to look out for ourselves: to build walls.

But our response should be to look out for each other – because we will all be better off that way.

I am giving this advice, not out of the goodness of my heart, but because it is in the self-interest of Norway.

Norway contributes to the EU.

We are a reliable partner for energy and security.

We play a central role in evacuating patients from Ukraine: around 200 Norwegian flights, with more than 2900 patients, have left Ukraine for European destinations.

And, in my role as Minister of Health and Care Services, I have personally championed closer cooperation between Norway and the EU on health preparedness.

And I will continue to do so, because it benefits both Norway and the EU.

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Ladies and gentlemen,

Today we celebrate Europe. And today we celebrate Norway’s friendship with our European friends and allies.

To each and every one of you: I wish you a happy Europe Day!