Minister, ladies and gentlemen,

First of all I want to say that the nice walk we just made through the beautiful forest makes a perfect setting for signing a letter of intent on environmental cooperation.

Norwegian co-operation with South Africa has expanded over the last years. We are proud to support the South African Government and South African institutions and organisations in many different areas, with the over-all aim of bringing the benefits of democracy and development to all South Africans.

When President Mandela visited Norway in March last year, we signed a Declaration stating our joint intention to enhance political consultations and development co-operation. This was a unique step for Norway and I believe also for South Africa, based as it is on a common perspective on development, human rights, and other global issues.

The signing today of a Letter of Intent on enhanced environmental co-operation highlights the importance both countries attach to environmental issues. The agreement that is being prepared cover traditional project support and it has a strong emphasis on institutional co-operation and consultations between our two environment ministries. I know that an intensive planning process has taken place in your Department, Minister, where priorities for Norwegian support and co-operation have been discussed in depth. I am sure that the final business plan will be a good tool for activities that promote sustainable development.

Several South African and Norwegian institutions have been involved in the present Environment Programme. Especially I will mention the cooperation between DEAT (uttales Diit – forkortelse for det sør afrikanske miljøverndepartementet) and GRID Arendal on the State of the Environment Reports. I see from the programme – and from what I see around me here – that we will have a presentation by your staff on that project. I have got feedback from the Norwegian partner that they too feel that they have benefited from cooperating with the South Africans.

As a part of the present programme we did support the process of preparing the application from Robben Island to become a World Heritage Site. Robben Island did become a World Heritage Site and so did the Sterkfonten Caves.

It is therefore especially interesting that you are approaching us for support for developing the Sterkfonten Caves as a part of the new Environmental Programme.

The purpose of this new agreement is to strengthen our environmental co-operation by adding new areas of collaboration and new institutions. I am convinced that the agreement will do just that.

I would like to wish you, Minister, and your staff success in implementing the programme.