H.E. Mr. Terje Hauge with spouse Mrs. Berit Slinning Hauge welcoming guests , Photo by Paolo Mofardin

RECEPTION

Norwegian national day celebration

On the occasion of the celebration of the Norwegian national day May 17 reception was held in the Norweigian residence. The host of the reception, H. E. Mr. Terje Hauge gave a speech in which he emphasizes good bilateral relation between two countries:

- The relations between Norway and Croatia are very good. Our countries and peoples are bound together through common values and a shared European culture and heritage. Personal relationships between people in our countries are being formed as an increasing number of Norwegians visit Croatia and the Adriatic coast. Last year more than 80.000 Norwegians visited Croatia. Tourism opens new doors for co-operation in a wide range of fields. People learn to know each other, new friendships are developed.

Norway and Croatia both have a strong maritime heritage. Maritime affairs have always been at centre stage in the relationship between Norway and Croatia. Many Norwegian ships have been built at Croatian shipyards. Both countries have long-established experience in the shipbuilding and shipping industries. This represents a good basis for cooperation. We have shared interests in resource management, maritime safety and border control, the marine environment and coastal zone development. Cooperation and contacts have in recent years also developed in different fields of science and research.

Croatia and Norway has established a formal maritime partnership, including a concrete maritime industrial project in Sibenik.

There is great potential for deepening and strengthening the relations between our two countries even further. The Government of Norway looks forward to expanding co-operation and trade between our two countries in a wide range of fields.

Norway has assisted Croatia financially for many years after its independence. Our aim has been to contribute to reconstruction and refugee return, social and economic development and support for Croatia's integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. Much of our support has been allocated to infrastructure projects, electrification in Slavonia, land registry project, water supply and environmental protection. In the environmental field our support has been related to development of management plan for coastal areas, strategies to achieve cleaner production and development of fishery management and monitoring.

Norway has also over the years made a considerable contribution to de-mining in Croatia with the assistance of the NGO Norwegian People's Aid.
In recent years Norway also has supported other projects related to Croatia's reform processes in fields such as the judiciary, public health and administrative capacity building. We believe these projects have been very successful and we are pleased to see that Croatia is fast developing and will probably soon be a member of the EU. And thus also of the European Economic Area treaty of which Norway and the EU, as well as Iceland and Liechtenstein are members. This will enhance the potential for expanding the cooperation between our countries even further.

Norway wants to play an active part in efforts to develop an inclusive and secure society in Europe. Economic and social development and prosperity in this part of Europe is an important factor in this respect and this is why it is also in our interest to see such developments in Croatia. Europe is never stronger and more stable than what we can achieve together in terms of securing economic and social development and prosperity all over the continent.

The post conflict era has come to an end, and today, we see a new Croatia developing. We congratulate Croatia with its NATO membership as of last year and wish the country luck on its path towards EU membership.

For Norway it has been, and is, important to support Croatia's Atlantic and European integration processes. - concluded H. E. Mr. Terje Hauge.