Speech
by
Kjell Magne Bondevik,
Prime Minister of Norway
at the Meeting of the NATO-Russia Council
Mr. Chairman,
Thank you Secretary General.
And thank you for guiding the Alliance with your steady hand,
at a time when
we open a new page in our relations with Russia.
Thank you, Prime Minister Berlusconi, for hosting this historic
summit.
For years, we have been saying that genuine security in Europe
can only become a reality if NATO and Russia join forces, and
work together. In signing the Rome Declaration, we make good
on that pledge.
I agree with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair that we have to be
concrete to follow up for the Council to be a success. I strongly
welcome the establishment of the NATO Russia Council. It gives
us a more effective instrument for building a stable, peaceful
and undivided Europe. And it opens for the integration of Russia,
as an equal partner in the Euro-Atlantic family.
I strongly welcome the decisions taken by Presidents Bush and
Putin on major nuclear arms reductions. At a crucial juncture,
facing the threat of terrorism on an unprecedented scale - you
have demonstrated true leadership.
I strongly welcome your dedication, President Putin, to engage
Russia in an ever-closer co-operative relationship with your
European and Atlantic partners.
Secretary General,
Ours is the world of innovation and fast changes.
Looking back though, in a historical perspective, it is nothing
less than a
miracle, that in a course of a decade we have bridged the gap
and come this
far.
Mr. Chairman,
Norway and Russia are neighbours in the High North. We share
an important
and broad bilateral agenda: Energy, marine resources, environment,
security. I am confident that our work in the new NATO-Russia
Council, based on openness, trust and confidence, will also
have a positive impact on this agenda as well.
Nuclear safety is one issue. New security threats have made
this more important than ever. We will continue working with
Russia in efforts for safe disposal and storage of nuclear related
material. I also look forward to the state visit by President
Putin to Norway in the Fall.
Secretary General,
With the NATO Russia Council we have been given a unique, new
opportunity. It is now for us to seize it, and make it a continuing
success-story.
NATO - Russia co-operation will yield benefits from day one.
But even more, we will reap great benefits in the longer term,
as shared
security - and the Spirit of Rome - becomes not only our vision,
but our
reality.
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