natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
In one way or another we draw strength from our close ties with the UN, NATO, the US and our European partners.
In one way or another we draw strength from our close ties with the UN, NATO, the US and our European partners.
Sixth and last – but not least – I would mention the importance we attach to dialogue.
Sixth and last – but not least – I would mention the importance we attach to dialogue.
In the Middle East, for example, through decades of engagement we have put emphasis on maintaining open channels of communication at all times with all states and all groups.
In the Middle East, for example, through decades of engagement we have put emphasis on maintaining open channels of communication at all times with all states and all groups.
Ready to listen, to give our views and to share our reading of other actors’ interests.
Ready to listen, to give our views and to share our reading of other actors’ interests.
This approach led us to initiate the talks that culminated in the Oslo process and the agreement signed on the White House lawn in 1993.
This approach led us to initiate the talks that culminated in the Oslo process and the agreement signed on the White House lawn in 1993.
This was built on our long-standing ties with Israel, but also our channel of communication with the PLO and Palestinian groups since the 1970s.
This was built on our long-standing ties with Israel, but also our channel of communication with the PLO and Palestinian groups since the 1970s.
For years that channel was controversial.
For years that channel was controversial.
But it proved valuable.
But it proved valuable.
The same was the case in the South African setting.
The same was the case in the South African setting.
Our long-standing dialogue with oppositions groups, including the ANC, proved valuable.
Our long-standing dialogue with oppositions groups, including the ANC, proved valuable.
To return to my introductory remarks: The lack of dialogue – or the inadequacy of existing dialogue – is among the biggest weaknesses of today’s international system.
To return to my introductory remarks: The lack of dialogue – or the inadequacy of existing dialogue – is among the biggest weaknesses of today’s international system.
How can we engage, understand, change or even influence the other side’s interests if we do not talk to them or, rather, do not listen?
How can we engage, understand, change or even influence the other side’s interests if we do not talk to them or, rather, do not listen?
How can we create a setting for change if our message is that we need not talk because the other side knows perfectly well what they must do?
How can we create a setting for change if our message is that we need not talk because the other side knows perfectly well what they must do?
Isn’t this one of the main findings of the research done here at Harvard – that poor communication is the most serious obstacle to a good outcome in negotiations?
Isn’t this one of the main findings of the research done here at Harvard – that poor communication is the most serious obstacle to a good outcome in negotiations?
To return to South Africa: How could we have identified the real motives of the ANC if we had confined ourselves to reading their charter and not taken the effort to talk to them?
To return to South Africa: How could we have identified the real motives of the ANC if we had confined ourselves to reading their charter and not taken the effort to talk to them?
And likewise today with Hamas and Hezbollah: Their political horizon differs profoundly from ours.
And likewise today with Hamas and Hezbollah: Their political horizon differs profoundly from ours.
But they are realities on the ground; they cannot be abolished by some Western decree.
But they are realities on the ground; they cannot be abolished by some Western decree.
How can we adequately deal with them, influence them and even pressure them if we do not talk and listen?
How can we adequately deal with them, influence them and even pressure them if we do not talk and listen?
A serious misconception shared by many is that talking means agreeing.
A serious misconception shared by many is that talking means agreeing.
Talking to the other side does not strengthen the other side’s hand, on the contrary.
Talking to the other side does not strengthen the other side’s hand, on the contrary.
We all remember the pain in Yitzhak Rabin’s eyes when he shook of Yasser Arafat’s hand in front of the White House in 1993.
We all remember the pain in Yitzhak Rabin’s eyes when he shook of Yasser Arafat’s hand in front of the White House in 1993.
But afterwards he said: “You don’t make peace with your friend.
But afterwards he said: “You don’t make peace with your friend.
You make it with your enemy.”
You make it with your enemy.”
It is a sad fact that the parties to most conflicts do not seek dialogue and negotiations before it is too late.
It is a sad fact that the parties to most conflicts do not seek dialogue and negotiations before it is too late.
Too late means too many deaths, too many injuries, too many people who are marked for life by violence, too late for creating structures of governance that can legitimately run a local or a national administration, too late for bringing the key groups on board.
Too late means too many deaths, too many injuries, too many people who are marked for life by violence, too late for creating structures of governance that can legitimately run a local or a national administration, too late for bringing the key groups on board.
And as we now see: Too late means fuelling extremism and weakening moderate forces.
And as we now see: Too late means fuelling extremism and weakening moderate forces.
Isolation has provided additional inspiration and boosted recruitment to insurgent groups and terrorist movements across a vast area stretching all the way to Afghanistan – with Iraq evolving into a tragic source of instability and spreading insurgency.
Isolation has provided additional inspiration and boosted recruitment to insurgent groups and terrorist movements across a vast area stretching all the way to Afghanistan – with Iraq evolving into a tragic source of instability and spreading insurgency.
Failure to take inclusive diplomatic initiatives and engage the various parties – states and non-states – will continue to leave the arena to extremists and spoilers and leave a space of opportunity for players such as Iran.
Failure to take inclusive diplomatic initiatives and engage the various parties – states and non-states – will continue to leave the arena to extremists and spoilers and leave a space of opportunity for players such as Iran.
It should be our guiding policy to create incentives for states and groups to engage in political processes, not turn their back on them.
It should be our guiding policy to create incentives for states and groups to engage in political processes, not turn their back on them.
Norway strongly welcomes the active involvement by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in helping forge new negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
Norway strongly welcomes the active involvement by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in helping forge new negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
Some things do not change: It will take the full engagement of the United States to bring this complex process forward, by engaging both parties - and the US can count on Norway’s support.
Some things do not change: It will take the full engagement of the United States to bring this complex process forward, by engaging both parties - and the US can count on Norway’s support.
We need new and bold initiatives to get a negotiation process started that can end the occupation, stop the settlement activity and help create a Palestinian state that can live side with side with Israel within internationally recognised borders.
We need new and bold initiatives to get a negotiation process started that can end the occupation, stop the settlement activity and help create a Palestinian state that can live side with side with Israel within internationally recognised borders.
And not least – a process that can provide security from terror for all.
And not least – a process that can provide security from terror for all.
One key challenge now will be to determine how to deal with a Palestinian Unity Government.
One key challenge now will be to determine how to deal with a Palestinian Unity Government.
Norway has lent its full support to President Abbas’s efforts to create order on the Palestinian side.
Norway has lent its full support to President Abbas’s efforts to create order on the Palestinian side.
He is democratically elected, he embodies the standards of the international community as regards the recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and acceptance of previous agreements.
He is democratically elected, he embodies the standards of the international community as regards the recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and acceptance of previous agreements.
As head of the PLO, he is leading the Palestinians in negotiations with Israel and the outside world.
As head of the PLO, he is leading the Palestinians in negotiations with Israel and the outside world.
During 2006 President Abbas sought to end the internal strife and enable the Palestinians to reconnect with the international community by creating a unity government, based on his key principles.
During 2006 President Abbas sought to end the internal strife and enable the Palestinians to reconnect with the international community by creating a unity government, based on his key principles.
We have actively supported this process, which led to the Mecca agreement.
We have actively supported this process, which led to the Mecca agreement.
Then there is Hamas.
Then there is Hamas.
The Hamas Government was for all practical purposes boycotted by the West, due to its failure to accept the Quartet’s requirements and comply with President Abbas’s standards.
The Hamas Government was for all practical purposes boycotted by the West, due to its failure to accept the Quartet’s requirements and comply with President Abbas’s standards.
Norway too was clear in its message to Hamas: You need to change your position if you are to be accepted by the international community.
Norway too was clear in its message to Hamas: You need to change your position if you are to be accepted by the international community.
Now the Hamas Government is history and we are waiting to see a coalition government with a new platform be put in place.
Now the Hamas Government is history and we are waiting to see a coalition government with a new platform be put in place.
The Mecca agreement is not a verbatim re-statement of the Quartet statements.
The Mecca agreement is not a verbatim re-statement of the Quartet statements.
That should come as no surprise.
That should come as no surprise.
However, the Mecca agreement clearly indicates that both Hamas and Fatah have undertaken to respect all agreements concluded by the PLO in the past.
However, the Mecca agreement clearly indicates that both Hamas and Fatah have undertaken to respect all agreements concluded by the PLO in the past.
We then need to ask: Is this a significant step?
We then need to ask: Is this a significant step?
Has the other side moved?
Has the other side moved?
Can we build on what amounts to their acceptance without any reservation of the Oslo accords, the Arab peace initiative and relevant UN resolutions?
Can we build on what amounts to their acceptance without any reservation of the Oslo accords, the Arab peace initiative and relevant UN resolutions?
These texts contain explicit acceptance of a two-state solution and thus a recognition of Israel, the commitment to pursue goals by political means and not by violence.
These texts contain explicit acceptance of a two-state solution and thus a recognition of Israel, the commitment to pursue goals by political means and not by violence.
How should we respond?
How should we respond?
I believe we need to acknowledge that what was achieved in Mecca constitutes a significant step on the part of the Palestinians, supported by Saudi Arabia and other Arab states.
I believe we need to acknowledge that what was achieved in Mecca constitutes a significant step on the part of the Palestinians, supported by Saudi Arabia and other Arab states.
We need to await the platform of the Unity Government and our expectations must remain clear.
We need to await the platform of the Unity Government and our expectations must remain clear.
We need to see the essence of Mecca in that platform.
We need to see the essence of Mecca in that platform.
But again, we need to engage.
But again, we need to engage.
We need to signal that we stand ready to relate to a government that is moving decisively in the right direction.
We need to signal that we stand ready to relate to a government that is moving decisively in the right direction.
And I believe we would be better served by engaging in a way that might help move Hamas further into a political process that we can influence than by seeing them drift further into extremism.
And I believe we would be better served by engaging in a way that might help move Hamas further into a political process that we can influence than by seeing them drift further into extremism.
The alternative to a coalition government is civil war and increased Palestinian extremism.
The alternative to a coalition government is civil war and increased Palestinian extremism.
It is a weakened President with limited ability to move forward in negotiations with Israel.
It is a weakened President with limited ability to move forward in negotiations with Israel.
This would be a disaster for the Palestinians.
This would be a disaster for the Palestinians.
It would also pose a grave threat to the security of Israel, it would undermine moderate forces in the region and be a serious impediment to the resumption of talks between Palestinians and Israelis.
It would also pose a grave threat to the security of Israel, it would undermine moderate forces in the region and be a serious impediment to the resumption of talks between Palestinians and Israelis.
Two concepts are key to my remarks this evening:
Two concepts are key to my remarks this evening:
The first is engagement, and I believe that the Middle East is our biggest test.
The first is engagement, and I believe that the Middle East is our biggest test.
Then there is the need to take a comprehensive approach to modern conflict, and here Afghanistan is a case in point.
Then there is the need to take a comprehensive approach to modern conflict, and here Afghanistan is a case in point.
It could have been Iraq, but I will not explore that further here.
It could have been Iraq, but I will not explore that further here.
Norway is deeply engaged in Afghanistan.
Norway is deeply engaged in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is the second largest recipient of Norwegian development assistance after the Palestinians.
Afghanistan is the second largest recipient of Norwegian development assistance after the Palestinians.
Here we find by far the largest contingent of Norwegian military personnel abroad – about 700 troops – around 10 per cent of our standing army.
Here we find by far the largest contingent of Norwegian military personnel abroad – about 700 troops – around 10 per cent of our standing army.
A minister in Kabul told me last month that Afghanistan is not a post-conflict country.
A minister in Kabul told me last month that Afghanistan is not a post-conflict country.
It is a post-disaster country.
It is a post-disaster country.
It is a living example of a complex crisis setting.
It is a living example of a complex crisis setting.
To build Afghanistan’s future, we need a comprehensive approach.
To build Afghanistan’s future, we need a comprehensive approach.
The military, political, development and humanitarian dimensions must form part of an integrated and balanced agenda.
The military, political, development and humanitarian dimensions must form part of an integrated and balanced agenda.
Our military engagement must provide space for political and economic processes.
Our military engagement must provide space for political and economic processes.
It has a supporting role to play and must play it wisely.
It has a supporting role to play and must play it wisely.
During our NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels on 26 January, we agreed on the need to ensure that our approach has this right balance.
During our NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels on 26 January, we agreed on the need to ensure that our approach has this right balance.
Now we need to follow up on that pledge – not only in NATO, but also in close cooperation with key players such as the UN, the EU and the World Bank.
Now we need to follow up on that pledge – not only in NATO, but also in close cooperation with key players such as the UN, the EU and the World Bank.
In order to succeed, we must draw on everything we have learned from 50 years of development cooperation.
In order to succeed, we must draw on everything we have learned from 50 years of development cooperation.
We must provide what the Afghans need and what they themselves give priority to.
We must provide what the Afghans need and what they themselves give priority to.
And we must ensure that when we leave, the Afghans are able to take forward what we have initiated.
And we must ensure that when we leave, the Afghans are able to take forward what we have initiated.
There is an urgent need for Afghanisation.
There is an urgent need for Afghanisation.
Foreign military forces cannot win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people.
Foreign military forces cannot win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people.
Only the Afghan Government can.
Only the Afghan Government can.
Whatever we do must have an Afghan face and Afghan ownership.
Whatever we do must have an Afghan face and Afghan ownership.
This is first of all a struggle between the Afghan Government and the Taliban and other insurgent movements.
This is first of all a struggle between the Afghan Government and the Taliban and other insurgent movements.
We will provide security and help fight and deter insurgents.
We will provide security and help fight and deter insurgents.
But we cannot fight other people’s war.
But we cannot fight other people’s war.
International presence and solidarity are, and will be, required for many years to come.
International presence and solidarity are, and will be, required for many years to come.
But we need an exit strategy, even if we are in for the long haul.
But we need an exit strategy, even if we are in for the long haul.
And that strategy must be to build Afghanistan’s own institutions: army, police, judiciary and civil administration.
And that strategy must be to build Afghanistan’s own institutions: army, police, judiciary and civil administration.
They have to deliver security, the rule of law and health and education services.
They have to deliver security, the rule of law and health and education services.
Afghanistan has also brought into focus the question of the roles and mandates of military and civilian personnel.
Afghanistan has also brought into focus the question of the roles and mandates of military and civilian personnel.
Planners of international military operations sometimes see civilian projects as valuable tools to win the hearts and minds of the local population, leading to a growing presence of non-humanitarian actors within traditional humanitarian domains like health, food aid and emergency shelter.
Planners of international military operations sometimes see civilian projects as valuable tools to win the hearts and minds of the local population, leading to a growing presence of non-humanitarian actors within traditional humanitarian domains like health, food aid and emergency shelter.
Humanitarian organisations have raised their voices and criticised the presence of such actors.
Humanitarian organisations have raised their voices and criticised the presence of such actors.
We should take their concerns seriously.
We should take their concerns seriously.
At the core of our efforts to deal with modern conflict should lie our ambition to improve our ability to prevent.
At the core of our efforts to deal with modern conflict should lie our ambition to improve our ability to prevent.
Here too we need a comprehensive approach that will enable us to engage early enough to prevent conflict and disaster, whether caused by man or by nature.
Here too we need a comprehensive approach that will enable us to engage early enough to prevent conflict and disaster, whether caused by man or by nature.
In such a comprehensive approach, we cannot allow ourselves to divide the world into different civilisations, or into those who are with us and those who are against us.
In such a comprehensive approach, we cannot allow ourselves to divide the world into different civilisations, or into those who are with us and those who are against us.
Thomas Friedman has called attention to the obvious fact that we can download information, but we cannot download understanding.
Thomas Friedman has called attention to the obvious fact that we can download information, but we cannot download understanding.
And what we so sorely need is not complacency, but better understanding of everything, ranging from facts and figures, to interests.
And what we so sorely need is not complacency, but better understanding of everything, ranging from facts and figures, to interests.
Maximising our interests can never be a solitary endeavour.
Maximising our interests can never be a solitary endeavour.
It takes a broader effort to achieve real engagement.
It takes a broader effort to achieve real engagement.
Norway and the US: Partners in Peace
Norway and the US: Partners in peace
• Ladies and gentlemen, good morning
• Ladies and gentlemen, good morning
• I am honored to be here at the University of Ottawa, giving a talk on Norwegian energy policy.
• I am honored to be here at the University of Ottawa, giving a talk on Norwegian energy policy.
Both Norway and Canada are members of the small club of western, democratic energy exporters in the Northern hemisphere.
Both Norway and Canada are members of the small club of western, democratic energy exporters in the Northern hemisphere.
We are also both arctic countries; thus we face many similar possibilities and challenges.
We are also both arctic countries; thus we face many similar possibilities and challenges.
Consequently, I think we have a lot to learn from each other.
Consequently, I think we have a lot to learn from each other.
• This morning I would like to 1. share my reflections on global energy realities with you and 2. discuss status and challenges for Norway as an exporter of oil and gas, with a special focus on the High North.
• This morning I would like to 1. share my reflections on global energy realities with you and 2. discuss status and challenges for Norway as an exporter of oil and gas, with a special focus on the High North.
Energy Realities
Energy Realities
Slide 2 • Since I took office this spring, I have spent a lot of time to bring forth a central message related to energy in the Norwegian debate.
Slide 2 • Since I took office this spring, I have spent a lot of time to bring forth a central message related to energy in the Norwegian debate.
• My message should not be controversial – the world need more, cleaner and secure energy.
• My message should not be controversial – the world need more, cleaner and secure energy.
• We need more energy because more than 1.5 billion people live without access to modern energy.
• We need more energy because more than 1.5 billion people live without access to modern energy.
3 billion people live for less than USD 2.50 per day.
3 billion people live for less than USD 2.50 per day.
By 2050 the global population will have increased by 2 billion people.
By 2050 the global population will have increased by 2 billion people.
Recently the world population reached 7 billion.
Recently the world population reached 7 billion.