We will give priority to efforts to promote human rights and democracy and to mobilizing international efforts to combat corruption and crime. The Government will continue to pursue Norway s commitment to peace and reconciliation. Our engagement in the Middle East Peace process will be maintained. The Government will pursue a foreign policy that promotes Norwegian interests in the new Europe more strongly. We also share responsibility for peace and cooperation in our part of the world.
European cooperation is on the threshold of major changes.
There is a real possibility that our Nordic neighbours will introduce the common European currency, the euro. This poses a new challenge for Norway. The Government will base its policy on the results of the 1994 referendum on EU membership and will build on the cooperation developed through the EEA Agreement and other arrangements. We will submit a Report to the Storting on our policy towards Europe in which we will give a broad account of the challenges and opportunities in relation to Europe. We need binding and predictable rules for world trade.