Majesties,
Honourable Authorities,
Distinguished members of the Norwegian deputation,
Honourable Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with the greatest of pleasures that we welcome Your Majesties in this your first State Visit to Portugal, a Visit which we regard as an extremely valuable contribution for the strengthening of the bonds which link our two countries.

Portugal was, in 1905, one of the first countries to recognize the young Norwegian Nation. In the following year our first Ambassador presented credentials, as Head of Legation, in the then city of Christiania, nowadays Oslo.

Since then, Portugal and Norway, overcoming the geographic distance which separates them, have known how to build bridges of understanding and cooperation in the most diverse areas.

The responsible endeavours of both countries in the midst of the United Nations Organization, their active role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, of which they are founder members, and their membership of the European Economic Area are factors which greatly contributed towards the excellent political relationship we enjoy and which is reflected in a frequent community of positions and exchange of supports in the international scene.

The challenge today, for both countries, is to guarantee that this level of political relationship results in a deeper relationship in the economic, entrepreneurial, scientific and cultural areas. The various partnerships which already exist in areas as diversified as scientific research, protection of the environment and marine life, or even the rehabilitation of the heritage, are an example of what we are capable of achieving jointly, gaining advantages from the synergies provided by a communion of interests.

Norway is a modern country, with a solid and dynamic economy and one of the highest levels of economic and social development in the world. A country with important and singularly well managed resources and which actively searches for diversifying its economy.

Portugal, answering the challenge of globalization, is endeavouring that its citizens achieve qualification and sustainable development. The quality and degree of technological sophistication of what many of our enterprises produce today, has led to an impressive change in the structure of our main exports and justifies, to my mind, a greater visibility and penetration of Portuguese products in the Norwegian market. On the other hand, Portugal favours development areas such as tourism, renewable energies or marine connected activities, which make it an attractive centre of investment for a country such as Norway.

Finally, History has left us a network of contacts and knowledge in the five continents, which make Portuguese enterprises ideal investment partners in third country markets.

The size and diversity of the entrepreneurial deputation which accompanies Your Majesties is an eloquent example that Norwegian entrepreneurs are alert and understand what I have just said. I am certain that their contacts with Portuguese enterprises and entrepreneurs will allow the identification of new business and investment opportunities and, as such, contribute to that qualitative leap which we both intend should spell the future of our economic and trading relations.

Majesties,

The mutual knowledge of the culture and History of our two Nations is a factor of great importance when the issue is to stimulate our cooperation. In this perspective, I want to salute the decision to include in Your Majesties’ programme tomorrow a literary seminar in which Portuguese and Norwegian cultural personalities will take part.

Tourism, as well, in addition to its economic advantages, is an excellent means of approach and better understanding between peoples. We should thus fight to consolidate the positive trend which is nowadays shown in the tourist flows between our two countries.

Portugal and Norway are very near to each other in respect of the relationship they have with the Sea. In addition to its importance in establishing who we are, the Sea is a source of enormous opportunities in a framework of sustainable development. Marine policies and the preservation of the environment are two areas where, once again, everything points towards the advantages of closer cooperation between us. I hope that the Seminar dedicated to the issues of fisheries and preservation of the marine environment, which will be held during this Visit, will be a contribution in that direction.

Majesties,

In 1472, a marine expedition launched by Kings Afonso V and Christian I sailed from Bergen. It comprised three ships. On board were two Admirals appointed by Christian I and at least two Portuguese noblemen, João Vaz Corte-Real and Álvaro Martins Homem. The chief pilot was a Norwegian, whose name was Jon Sklop. Their mission was to sail beyond Greenland, searching for new lands and a Northwest route to Asia. History tells us that, in that same year, they made land in Greenland and will have reached the Labrador Peninsula and what would later be named Newfoundland.

I hope, just as we reached that Newfoundland together, that, through codfish that still today is such a relevant item in Portuguese food and that links us so closely to Norway, we will together be able to find the way to the new Newfoundland: the opportunities which are open to the increase in our cooperation.
I ask you all to join me in a toast to the health of Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonia and to the prosperity of the relations between our two countries.

Thank you very much.