Remarks

Thank you so much, Madeleine, for those nice words and that kind introduction. 

You have always been an outspoken champion of NATO. 
As well as an inspirational colleague and friend. 

I also want to start by thanking Fred and Damon and the entire Atlantic Council team.  

Thank you for this honour.  

And for your steadfast leadership in support of a strong transatlantic Alliance. 

Let me also congratulate the other honourees.
Her Royal Highness Haya Bint Al Hussein. 
William Ford, Jr. 
Renee Fleming. 

And Admiral Michelle Howard.

With whom I recently visited Allied troops in Kosovo.
And who’s doing a superb job as head of NATO’s Joint Forces Command in Naples. 

This award means a great deal to me. 

Because I’m a true Atlanticist in every sense of the word. 

Because for Norwegians, our identity, our history, is about the Atlantic Ocean.

Norway is a narrow strip of land with a very long coast, many fjords, a lot of mountains … and some reindeer. 

As Vikings, we used to sail the Atlantic.

We were the first Europeans to discover America.

The only problem is that we left very soon.
And we forgot to tell anyone about our discovery.

To this day, Norway remains a maritime nation. 
So I’ve never quite understood the expression: “oceans apart.”

To me, oceans bring people together. 
And I know this from my own experience

In fact, “transatlantic” means something very personal to me and my family.

My father was born in Norway.
But my mother was born on this side of the Atlantic. 

In Patterson, New Jersey.

So in a real sense, I’m the product of a transatlantic alliance.

And I spent the first two years of my life in San Francisco. 

Then, growing up in Norway during the Cold War, we slept soundly at night knowing that NATO, the good guys, were there to protect us.

As a young conscript in the Norwegian Army, I was trained to hold out until our Atlantic Allies would come to our aid.  

We knew we were not alone.

That’s what NATO is all about. 
Our  Article 5 commitment: 
One for all and all for one.

And one more nation has just made that commitment.

Earlier today, I was very pleased to welcome Montenegro as the 29th member of our transatlantic family.

And I use the word “family” on purpose.

Like any family, we have our differences.

But for nearly 70 years, our NATO family has risen above those differences.

We have worked together for a common purpose: 
the peace, security and prosperity of our people.
On both sides of the Atlantic.

It’s a unique bond that has kept our nations safe for almost seven decades.

Today, our commitment to the Alliance is as strong as ever.

Not only in words, but also in deeds.

The US is increasing its military presence in Europe.

And Europe and Canada are investing more in defence.

We may be oceans apart, but we are also the closest of Allies.

This is a precious thing for all of us.

But we cannot take it for granted.
The attacks in London on Saturday are a tragic reminder of the challenges we all face. Of the important work we have to do to overcome them. 
And of the values of our open and free societies, which we all hold dear. 

So I count on all of you to help keep our Alliance strong.

And I thank you once again for this special recognition.