Excellencies, colleagues, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, It is with great joy and pride that I welcome you all to this newly renovated chancery and residence. I am very glad to see so many have turned up here tonight.
Allow me first to thank you, our Egyptian friends and colleagues, for your presence at this National Day celebration.
This year, we celebrate 90 years of diplomatic relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Norway.
Over the years, the relations between us have become stronger. Because of the close co-operation and common efforts to seek in seeking peaceful solutions in Palestine and Sudan, and our common support for the UN and international law.
Let me also thank everyone for the very warm welcome I have received in Egypt from all. Thank you.
I also want to thank my amazing team at the Embassy for organising tonight’s event.
Norway and the world are facing very serious security challenges, of the likes we have not seen since World War 2.
Norway fully supports a negotiated settlement to the wars in the region and calls for respect of international law.
Much too often, civilians and civilian infrastructure are being targeted, which may amount to war crimes.
We commend Egypt, as well as other parties, for tirelessly working both on and behind the scenes to promote diplomatic solutions.
Norway too will continue to do its part.
And we will continue to stand up for the people in Palestine, Sudan and Ukraine, and to work to resolve these horrible wars.
Norway’s economy is a diverse, open, export and investment-oriented economy which suffers from global instability, disruption of supply chains and higher prices.
However, I am glad to note that many Norwegian companies are present and expanding in Egypt, deepening and strengthening our bilateral economic co-operation.
Some have been around for more than 100 years.
Jotun is celebrating 40 years in Egypt, becoming a household brand. Jotun has provided protective and decorative paints to some of the most famous landmark buildings in the world like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Eiffel tower in Paris, the GEM in Giza and the Norwegian Embassy in Zamalek. (Yes, we’re in that league.)
Yara, founded in 1905 to solve the emerging famine in Europe, has taken a lead in clean ammonia production, driving a green transition of shipping, fertiliser production and other energy intensive industries. The Viking ship stands today for very positive values and contributions.
Scatec has over the last 10 years established itself as a central contributor to Egypt’s very ambitious renewables strategy, personally advanced by President El Sisi, and is forging ahead with the opening of Africa’s largest hybrid solar park in Qena in June. Many other projects are in the pipeline – in solar and wind energy, green hydrogen/green ammonia and desalination.
These are but three notable examples of Norwegian companies to partner with Egypt in delivering impactful solutions that support sustainable growth. I am very proud to have them as sponsors here tonight. Thank you very much.
Norway also exports fish and I want to thank Said Omar for delivering delicious salmon, herring and mackerel to us tonight.
Norwegian-Egyptian cultural exchanges in literature and film are thriving, and I am happy to note that the new Norwegian Viking Age museum opening next year is looking to learn from and collaborate with the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Now, it wouldn’t be a 17 May speech if I didn’t mention that our National Constitution Day is essentially a children’s celebration of freedom and independence, with lots of flags, national costumes, and ice cream.
We don’t have many children here tonight, so I count on you all to contribute with your childish excitement and joy, and to indulge in the ice cream stand we have set up.
I want to end with a customary Norwegian toast – a “skål” – to continued Norwegian-Egyptian friendship and collaboration for another 90 years and more.
Like Haaland and Marmush on the football pitch, I expect Norwegians and Egyptians to continue to do great things together.
Skål!
Thank you. Enjoy the evening.
