I begin by thanking you, Prime Minister, in my own name and on behalf of all those who are here with me, for your magnificent hospitality and the many gestures of friendship you have made since I arrived in your beautiful country.

I must tell you that I am extremely happy to make this visit. Norway is a State that naturally commands the respect of the international community, owing to the strength of its democracy, the dynamism of its economy, and its role on the international stage in favour of peace and international solidarity. It is also a country with which we have solid and confident relations, based on shared values and a broad convergence of interests.

This visit to Norway is a great opportunity to strengthen our ties. Politically, our relations are excellent. We are allies in NATO and partners within the European Economic Area. We both believe in the primacy of international law, in the value of international institutions, in peace and solidarity, and we make active contributions to international security through our participation in many international peacekeeping missions.

Economically, I can attest to the interest of Portuguese companies — many of which accompany me on this visit — in deepening a relation that is already quite important – since Norway is among the fifteen most important markets for Portuguese exports. I believe that, in many areas, there is significant potential to develop our relationship, either through foreign investment, partnerships or trade.

Norway is a country that has distinguished itself in the field of innovation. In our times, when economic competition is increasingly demanding, that is the secret of success. This is a field where there is already considerable cooperation between Norwegian and Portuguese companies. I refer, for instance, to Brisa and Q Free, which have developed automatic toll collection systems on motorways; to Siscog, which has devised an integrated personnel planning and management system for the Norwegian railways, or New Vision, which developed for the Norwegian postal services an automatic self-service for selling stamps. I hope that these collaborations will multiply.

This is also an occasion to deepen our dialogue on the major themes of international policy and on the state of our continent.

2004 is the year of enlargement for the European Union. The arrival of ten new members will help strengthen the unity of our continent and the solidarity between European States. I also hope that, in the course of this year, we will be able to complete negotiations on a new constitutional treaty, enabling the European Union to have an institutional framework adjusted to the needs of a Union of 25 members, and able to withstand the proof of time.

For reasons of interest and conviction, Portugal wishes to be at the forefront of the European construction process. We understand and respect the fact that Norway’s option is a different one. However, through its participation in the European Economic Area and in the Schengen Agreement, Norway is strongly linked to the European integration process. I would like to reiterate here that as far as Portugal is concerned Norway will always be welcome in the Union.

I hope that 2004 will also be a year of consolidation of transatlantic relations, following the difficulties encountered as a result of the crisis in Iraq. Good understanding between the United States and Europe is essential for world stability.