Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Excellencies, friends and honoured guests.
It is a great pleasure for me to be present at this formal opening of the new residence of the Norwegian ambassador in Sofia.
Diplomatic relations between Norway and Bulgaria were established as early as 1906. However, it was not until nearly 100 years later - in 2001 - that Norway opened its first Embassy in Sofia. This decision was a natural consequence of the reshaping of Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall. This dramatic event twenty years ago created hope for securing stability, democracy and welfare for people in Europe. Bulgaria has since become a member of both NATO and the EU. These important developements have broadened the scope for cooperation and made possible a new partnership between our two countries.
Norways first Embassy in Sofia was modest, with premises in the Radisson SAS Hotel. In April 2002, the chancery was co-located with the Danish Embassy on the corner of Dondukov Boulevard and Vasil Levski Street. However, increased activities and more staff meant that the chancery had to move again. Once again this was a move in true Nordic spirit as Finnish and Baltic friends are located in the same building in Bacho Kiro.
Until now, the head of Mission has been living in temporary residences. Happily this nomadic life has now come to an end. Today we can celebrate the opening of a permanent residence for the Norwegian Ambassador in Sofia.
The decision to build a new residence created a unique opportunity to present the very best of Norwegian architecture and design. And the hilly setting of Boyana has proved to be a splendid location for this project. The final design is the result of an open international competition for architects and landscape architects that was held during winter and spring 2004/2005. A total of 87 entries from 12 countries were submitted.
The winners were PM Arkitektur, N1 Arkitekter and Trifolia landscape architects. Representatives of these firms are here today. Congratulations! And I would also like to thank the interior architect, Linda Evensen, for designing the interior furnishings.
The building is a fine example of contemporary Norwegian architcture with its elegent siplicity, the use of few materials, lots of light and close interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces. It offers privacy for the Ambassador as well as generous space for her official work.
The Ministry in Oslo attaches great importance to ensuring that our staff around the world have good working conditions in line with modern standards. This is vital for them in the important supporting and coordinating role they play in assisting Norwegian authorities and Norwegian society at large.
Therefor, on behalf of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs I would like to thank Statsbygg, which manages government property of this kind, for its efforts in making this beautiful building a reality. I would also like to thank ALIMAX for supervising the construction process and, at last, but not least, the entrepreneur Glavbolgarstroy for taking on the challenging task of erecting such a modern Norwegian building in Bulgaria. We are greatful for their time and efforts.
The building of this new residence has further significance. It is a sign of continued commitment on the part of the Norwegian Government to strenghtening relations between Norway and Bulgaria. Our bilateral relations have developed substantially since our Embassy was first established in Sofia eight years ago. The visit of the President of Bulgaria to Norway in 2006 has been the highlight so far. Bilateral trade is on the rise. There is a broad range of cultural cooperation between our countries. And Bulgaria has become a popular tourist destination for Norwegian tourists in both summer and winter.
On joining the EU, Bulgaria also became part of the European Economic Area, which includes Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway. Our cooperation within the EEAgoes beyond trade and economy. Through the EEA Financial Mechanisms, Norway is contributing to the reduction of social and economic disparities in the new EU countries. In this connection, Norway finances a wide array of projects in several important sectors in Bulgaria. Close contacts between Norwegian and Bulgarian institutions and organisations have developed, and many initiatives have led to broader bliateral cooperation.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Bulgarian Government for its firm support of the Embassy's activities. This has strenghtened - and will continue to strenghten - the close cooperation between our two countries.
Finally, on behalf of the Norwegian Governement, I have the great honour of declaring the new residence of the Norwegian Ambassador in Sofia open. And now it only remains for me to congratulate the Ambassador, and wish her and her staff every success in their future work.