Scan Magazine

Dear Norwegians and friends of Norway in the UK,

Another year is on the wane and we are once again in a position to be looking back and taking stock. And as expatriates, you will of course also be looking ahead to the New Year and reflect on what itmay bring.

The Norwegian Government has stated that Norway shall be a leading nation in environmental policy. We will press for a more comprehensive and ambitious climate agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. We will follow up our commitments and reduce emissions nationally as well as internationally. In 2000 the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions.We havemade the decision to contribute in a special way actually to achieving the MDG No. 4 and 5 on reducing child mortality and improving maternal health by 2015.

Regardless of the international financial situation, the year 2009 has been a good one for the Norwegian community in Britain. Norwegian-British ties are as strong as ever, and our political, trade and cultural interaction remains strong. There has been ample contact and much visiting between our politicians and our governments. Personally, I had the pleasure of visiting Britain as late as in November, when I met Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Trade between our two countries remains brisk, with Britain still being Norway’s main trading partner. About a third of Britain’s total gas consumption is supplied by Norway. We have also enjoyed exhibitions and performances by visiting artists and musicians in both countries. Norwegian students continue to flock to British universities, and I am pleased some British students also find their way to Norway.

The period of Christmas will be no less active, with a number of Julebord and other Christmas festivities being arranged. I would particularly like tomention our pleasure in seeing the Norwegian Christmas Tree go up in Trafalgar Square, the annual gift from the City of Oslo that marks the advent of Christmas in London.

It givesme great pleasure to sendmy best wishes for 2010 to the Norwegian community in the UK.

Best wishes
Jens Stoltenberg
Prime Minister of Norway