German-Norwegian Network

Minister,
Excellencies,
Network Participants
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Times they are a' Changin' Bob Dylan sang in his legendary call for rebellion in 1964. In this way Dylan called for new generations to raise their voices, take over and replace old values with new ones. I guess today's mood is less revolutionary, but the message still prevails: Younger generations will always seek to correct what their parents did wrong.

The Bob Dylan quote, which I understand is the theme of this founding seminar, signals what the basic idea of the German-Norwegian network is all about: Gathering young people from both countries to establish a network where new ideas can be exchanged and different approaches be discussed in a bilateral as well as European or global context.

I have many good memories from Germany. Every time I go there, I am welcomed by overwhelming hospitality. In particular I will never forget the trip I made to Munich, Düsseldorf and Hamburg just over two years ago. I am very happy to see you again, Mr. Clement, this time in Norway. And with such pleasant memories fresh in mind, I am very happy to be able to return some of this hospitality by being present here today at the founding ceremony of the German-Norwegian Network.

Relations between our two countries are excellent. Germany is our most important trading partner, and Norway is a major supplier of energy to the German market. Germans eat our fish, cook with our gas and visit our fjords, and we drive German cars, admire German hi-tech products and explore the world through German gates.

But when Germans and Norwegians meet, they not only discuss hard matters such as oil and gas, fisheries and car making, industry and tourism. They also very quickly realise that they inspire each other in terms of general values and visions for the future. In an international political arena these shared values translate into a close co-operation in virtually all spheres.

This is also reflected in terms of cultural interaction between Norway and Germany. More Norwegian books are translated into German than into any other language, and in no other country have Norwegian writers, painters and playwrights found more inspiration than in Germany. Not only our great artists from the golden age of Ibsen, Munch and Grieg matured and found an audience in Germany. Also today, no country attracts more Norwegian artists than Germany. In this respect, the creative flow of inspiration certainly goes both ways.

Although relations between our two countries are very good, that does not mean there is no more to be done. This is the very essence of the “Deutschlands-Strategie”, which was adopted by the Norwegian government in order to maintain this focus. By way of example, there is an obvious mismatch between how important Germany is to Norway and the extent to which Norwegians are aware of this.

The number of young Norwegians travelling to Germany to study is decreasing, and the German language is loosing ever more ground to English. Similarly, the level of knowledge in Germany about Norway is, to be sure, better than in most other countries, still there is a lot beyond our beautiful fjords and scenery I wish Germans would learn more about.

The German-Norwegian Network is an constructive initiative I give my firm support. The idea to establish a bilateral network of young opinion makers from politics, business, media, culture and non-governmental organisations is actually so good that one may ask oneself why such a network has not been established earlier.

It is a project for the future. The participants are young and represent a new generation of leaders.

I sincerely hope that this network, from this weekend's founding seminar, with time will develop into a pillar in German-Norwegian relations, providing inspiration, creativity and fresh initiatives. The times they certainly are a' changing, and the German-Norwegian Network will hopefully be in the forefront of this process.

I wish all participants some stimulating and not the least enjoyable days here in Oslo.

Thank you and Viel Erfolg.