The Prime Minister's address at the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe

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Chancellor Scholz
Commission President von der Leyen
Ladies and Gentlemen
Meine Damen und Herren

Friends,

First, I would like to say thank you to Dagny. Dagny is one of our many young talented Norwegian artists now touring Europe.

Now, Dagny sings about human relations – and there is, of course, something universal about that on all levels – so, let me stress my message to you right from the beginning – a message about relations, people-to-people, and – Chancellor – leader-to-leader:

Germany is Norway's most important partner in Europe.

And keeping it that way, strengthening our partnership, is a top pririty for me and for my Government. This is my key message.

So, on behalf of the Norwegian Government and the Norwegian companies present here: It is a great privilege for Norway to have been chosen as a Partner Country at this year’s Hannover Messe. – And we will prove – I hope – by all our companies being present here – our ability of innovation and partnership.

We are a good partner, if I may say so. And we will show you why during the next few days.

We will use this great opportunity, both for Norwegian and German companies, to showcase our many joint projects – and discuss new ones.

Our two countries enjoy long-standing and strong political, economic and cultural ties.

We cooperate closely on energy, industry, defence, science, culture and many, many other fields.

We are both part of the same European Economic Area – the extended Single Market – now celebrating its 30^th anniversary.

And over the years, we have deepened the relationship – a partnership – based on profound respect, shared values – and trust.

A high degree of trust is essential in times of geopolitical uncertainty. In business as in politics, trust – a man-made, highly renewable resource – is everything. Actually, the more we invest in trust the more we get.

We all know that our two countries share a complicated history. However, we have managed to move beyond it – and build trust again.

One of my political heroes from my youth, Willy Brandt, once a Norwegian citizen, said in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in Oslo, in 1971, that “Through Europe, Germany returns to itself and to the constructive forces of its history (…) May all those who possess the power to wage war have the mastery of reason to maintain peace”.

It stands out as a very strong message today; as we try to combat war, we must have a political mindset to maintain peace.

At that time, he also had the conflict in the Middle East in mind. Just like what we have today, as tragedy again is unfolding in that region.

Europe has enjoyed many years of peace, stability and increasing prosperity.

However, as we all know, in February two years ago, Russia, Norway’s neighbour in the Arctic, launched a full-scale, illegal war against Ukraine, another neighbour, with far-reaching consequences for the whole of Europe and the world.

Our security landscape changed dramatically.

And I would like to take this opportunity to commend Germany for its important contribution to supporting Ukraine in these dire times. And I would also like to support and express my appreciatin for the way Germany is working to strengthen the European pillar of NATO.

Our close cooperation with Germany on our joint support to Ukraine is unvaluable. It is at the top of my agenda during my visit here.

And I would like to commend Chancellor Scholz for his leadership in organizing Germany's capacity and contribution – and for bringing wisdom into international cooperation on this issue. 

And while I am talking about a more demanding security environment – and also dealing with technology – let me add that a few weeks ago, the Norwegian Government proposed to the Parliament a historic increase in our defence spending: Over the next 12 years, Norway will spend some 52 billion euro to modernize and strengthen our defence capacity, working with our NATO allies to protect our security, freedom, liberty and democracy. – And in that, we all stand together.

All branches of the Armed Forces will be strengthened. Many industry segments will be involved.

Dear Olaf,

It was no coincidence that my first bilateral visit as Prime Minister took me to Berlin.

I appreciate our meetings, consultations and coordination. Norway needs Germany – and as an anchor of stability in Europe.

Germany is our closest partner.

Our countries’ histories are also closely intertwined. Since the 17^th century, German engineering has helped developing Norwegian mining and iron works, and then later on, the energy industry – as you saw here in the pictures from modern history – power made from waterfalls, machines in factories, the renown German know-how.

Our engineers, scientists and businesspeople have travelled to Germany to study, to get inspired, and to build networks. Many still do.

And let’s not forget the multitude of artists – writers, scholars, students, and footballers.

Along the way, we have produced a strong and well-balanced partnership. We have become true partners.

We have both brought ideas, knowledge and resources to the table to enhance key energy and industrial value-chains. It has been teamwork in action – then and now.

Now, partnerships manifest themselves in many ways – through contracts, projects or our exhibitors here in Hannover.

Or in the form of trade figures. Last year, Norway imported goods worth 116 billion kroner, almost 10 billion euro, from Germany – more than from any other country.

There are almost 4 500 German students in Norway, by far the largest group of foreign students.

My point here is this: good projects and partnerships always start somewhere, early, in someone’s minds, when meeting other like-minded – people coming together.

We Norwegians tend to say that we come from a small country. I mean, we are only 5.5 million people, compared to Germany’s 84.5.

But the size of our population is only one thing. I often say that our geography defines us as a nation. We don’t choose our geography. Our geography is fixed. When we add the ocean and ocean floor to our land – Norway is seven times more ocean and ocean floor than land – then we become the 17^th biggest country in the world.

So, in that context, we are not a small country. We have the world’s second longest coastline, including our islands, more than 100 000 kilometres.

Some of it is well-discovered by German tourists – who accounted for 2.3 million overnight stays last year, more than any other group of tourists to our country.

We are an ocean nation: the world’s second largest exporter of seafood, a world-leading shipping nation, the largest supplier of gas both to Western Europe and to Germany. – I am sorry for all the statistics, but they tell the story of who we are.

Our very existence depends on balancing sustainable use and careful protection of the ocean’s resources. This is part of our identity, our livelihood. And this is the knowledge we carry with us that we are happy to share with the rest of Europe.

So – dear friends, heading new challenges and opportunities, we often look to our great partner Germany.

We have always been impressed and inspired by the German Gründer-Geist, your deeply rooted industrial culture.

German companies are front-runners, trailblazers and locomotives.

The political and economic leadership you demonstrate in Europe is a much-needed ingredient in all industrial transformations.

On the green transformation, Norwegian and German companies are working closely together – as you can see from the list of exhibitors or by talking to friends and colleagues as you walk down the lanes of the Hannover Messe. here in the hall. Take:

• The strong partnership between Norsk Hydro, producing aluminium, and car manufacturers like Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.
• The Heidelberg Materials, building the world’s first carbon capture system at a cement plant in Norway.
• The Norwegian company HydrogenPro, which is set to supply electrolysers for a green hydrogen plant, ordered by the German steel giant Salzgitter.
• Take Yara Clean Ammonia, North Sea Container Line and Yara International, realising the world’s first container ship, using clean ammonia as fuel to sail between Norway and Germany.
• And Statkraft, Europe’s biggest producer of renewable energy, and their many projects in Germany, within hydro, wind, solar and biomass energy.

And so on.

In other words, we are taking part to make German and European industry stronger, more competitive, and greener.

And Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global, the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, is investing heavily in European industry, not least here in Germany.

In short, we are partners in the ongoing transition, a much-needed green and blue shift, to reach global climate goals.

Let me also say, dear Ursula,

We are on your home ground here in Hannover. It is a great pleasure to be here on your home turf, visiting Germany’s and Europe’s economic power-hub.

I would like to commend the European Union for its consistent efforts to accelerate the transition, fostering green industries, realizing this major transition that we all have to go through.

Together, we will stay the course. When you and I signed the Green Alliance between the EU and Norway last year, we created a strong political framework for boosting energy security, resilience and green value-chains.

And then, back in March, our Green Strategic Industrial Partnership was established. And there is a lot more to come. A solid foundation has been laid. 

Norway will continue to be a major supplier of natural gas, the main energy source for European households. You can rely on us. We will be a trusted partner.

We were all very impressed to see how quickly Germany built up capacity to receive LNG, after Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

And I have to add that the LNG that comes from Norway comes all the way from Hammerfest, which is even further north than Tromsø, where the artist Dagny is from, and represents about 5% of Norwegian gas. Equinor has done a tremendous job to make this possible.

At the same time, as we need to move forward in the transition to renewables, Norway will step up development of renewable energy, low-carbon solutions, and the green industry.

This is how the energy transition takes place; not from one day to another, but gradually and steadily, step by step, without sudden shifts. In a direction defined by democratic decision-making and supported by healthy market forces that pull us in this direction.

For us, the Government’s Green Industrial Initiative, a comprehensive strategy, with measures and schemes, guides our work. Key priorities include CCS, hydrogen, offshore wind, green shipping, raw materials – including minerals, and more.

(At this point, the Prime Minister continued his speech in German. A translation to English of this part can also be found below).

Liebe Freunde,

Im letzten Jahr vereinbarten Norwegen und die Bundesrepublik eine strategische Partnerschaft für Klima, erneuerbare Energien und grüne Industrie.

• Im Rahmen dieser Plattform führen wir einen aktiven Dialog über die Möglichkeiten einer Wasserstoffpartnerschaft.Unsere gemeinsame Task Force macht gute Fortschritte.Ich möchte, dass sich Norwegen am Aufbau eines umfassenden Wasserstoffmarktes in Europa beteiligt, um die Klimaziele zu erreichen.
• Noch einige Worte zu CCS: Norwegen hat mehr als 25 Jahre Erfahrung in der Abscheidung und Speicherung von CO². Dies bestätigen uns politische Vertreter der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, die im Laufe der Jahre Norwegen besucht haben. Ein Beispiel ist Longship, das weltweit erste umfassende CCS-Projekt.
• Ich betone oft, dass wir ohne CCS keine Klimaneutralität erreichen können. Und CCS bietet große industrielle Chancen:
• Norwegen kann einen Beitrag zu einer umfassenden CCS-Wertschöpfungskette in Europa leisten.
• Ich bin der Ansicht, dass die Industrie die treibende Kraft bei der Entwicklung von Wertschöpfungsketten bei Wasserstoff, Offshore-Wind und CO² sein muss. Wir – die Regierungen – sollten dafür günstige Rahmenbedingungen schaffen – wie wir es auch heute schon tun.
• Deshalb begrüße ich die jüngste deutsche Carbon-Management-Strategie und die strategische Vision der Europäischen Kommission zu CCS.

Exzellenzen, liebe Freunde,

Norway is powered by nature ist ein von uns oft verwendeter Slogan. Das ist natürlich richtig, weil wir eine große Seenation sind und mit unseren Wasserfällen – und all den regnerischen, windigen Tagen! – die kraftvolle Natur sehen und erleben.

Aber kraftvolle Partnerschaften werden auch von Männern und Frauen, von Know-how und Technologie vorangetrieben – zusätzlich zu unseren natürlichen Ressourcen.

Nur durch kreative Partnerschaften schaffen wir es, neue Lösungen zu finden und die Industrie nachhaltig zu machen.

Nur durch Partnerschaften, die energizing sind – um das Motto dieser Messe zu verwenden – werden wir null Emissionen erreichen.

Das ist das wichtigste globale Ziel.

Kein Land kann dies alleine erreichen.

Und alle Länder werden von den Vorteilen profitieren.

Ich möchte mich noch einmal für die Ehre bedanken, Norwegen als Partnerland hier auf der Hannover-Messe 2024 vorstellen zu dürfen.

Machen wir uns in den kommenden Tagen an die Arbeit.

Ich wünsche Ihnen eine erfolgreiche Messe.

Herzlichen Dank.

 

(Here begins the English version of these German paragraphs)

Last year, Norway and Germany signed a strategic partnership on climate, renewable energy, and green industry.

• As part of this platform, our dialogue on exploring a hydrogen partnership is well underway. Our joint Task Force is making good progress. My ambition is for Norway to take part in the build-up of a full-scale hydrogen market in Europe in order to meet our climate targets.
• A few more words on CCS: We have more than 25 years of experience in capturing and storing CO₂, as senior German officials visiting Norway over the years have seen first-hand. Take Longship, the world’s first full-scale CCS project.
• I often point out that we will not be able to achieve climate-neutrality without CCS. In addition, CCS presents substantial industrial opportunities. Norway can contribute to a full-scale CCS value chain in Europe.
• In my view, industry should be in the driving seat when developing hydrogen, offshore wind and CO₂ value chains. We – as governments – need to provide a favourable framework – as we strive to do today.
• I therefore welcome Germany’s recent carbon management strategy, as well as the strategic vision from the European Commission on CCS.

Excellencies, dear friends,

We often like to say that Norway is powered by nature. And that’s true in a way. We are a large ocean nation, and nature has blessed us with  many waterfalls (and a lot of rainy, windy days!). But powerful partnerships are also powered by men and women, by know-how and high-tech, in addition to our natural resources.

Only through creative partnerships will we be able to find new solutions, making industries sustainable.

Only through energising partnerships – to use the motto of the Hannover Messe – will we reach zero emissions, which is, after all, the world’s most important goal.

No country can achieve this alone. All countries stand to gain.

Let me thank you again, for the honour of introducing Norway as your Partner Country here at Hannover Messe 2024.

Let us get down to work. I wish you all productive meetings and a successful trade fair.

Thank you.

 

More information on Norway’s as Partner Country at the Hannover Messe, see: Media Library (hannovermesse.de)