Norway's present government is Mr. Jens Stoltenberg's second government. It was appointed by King Harald V on 17 October 2005. It is a majority government representing the Labour Party, the Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party. The present government will pursue the traditional main features of Norwegian foreign policy, as presented in their inauguration declaration.
10/12/2007 :: The three parties represented in the government negotiated the following common platform for their foreign policy before taking office:
The main features of Norwegian foreign policy will remain unchanged.
The Government will promote a UN-led world order based on international law. Our NATO membership, the EEA Agreement and Norway’s status as a non-member of the EU will be the mainstays of our international engagement.
We will work actively to create a better, more secure world within this framework.
We will be at the forefront in the fight against poverty and international environmental efforts.
We will have a clear profile as a nation of peace.
We will be at the forefront of efforts to cancel the debts of the least developed countries (LDCs).
We will increase Norway’s official development assistance (ODA) to one per cent of GNI, and further intensify our development co-operation efforts during the period.
We will make a substantial contribution to the UN Emergency Relief Fund, and participate actively in efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Together with others, we will work to ensure that all children have access to vaccines.
The Government will use NATO to further develop the transatlantic partnership.
New tools will be used to address new security policy challenges.
We will terminate the assignment for Norwegian staff officers and training personnel in Iraq.
We will strengthen Norwegian participation in ISAF in Afghanistan. Therefore, the mandate for Norwegian participation in Operation Enduring Freedom will not be renewed.
The Government wants a modern defence establishment and will improve financial control in the Norwegian Defence.
The Norwegian Defence will be adapted to the new security policy challenges.
We will step up Norwegian civilian and military participation in UN peace-keeping efforts, with a particular focus on Africa.
The High North will be Norway’s most important strategic priority area in the years ahead. The Government will intensify efforts to exercise Norwegian sovereignty and to ensure the sustainable management of the rich fish and energy resources.
The aim of our High North policy is to protect the environment, maintain settlement patterns and promote business development in the north.
We will further develop our co-operation with Russia and our other partners in the north.
We have always had strong ties to the rest of Europe.
We will further strengthen these ties in the time ahead and pursue an active European policy.
We will co-operate with the EU on the basis of the EEA Agreement, and make active use of all the opportunities it provides to safeguard Norwegian interests.
The Government will pursue a humane and compassionate refugee and asylum policy based on Norway’s international obligations and the principles of the rule of law.
We will intensify our efforts to remove immigrants who are staying illegally in Norway, and we will work actively to conclude readmission agreements with more countries.
We will combat discrimination and at the same time make it clear that all people living in Norway have an obligation to participate actively and adhere to the laws and the basic democratic values of our society.
In the current WTO negotiations, the Government will work to promote overall Norwegian interests, with a view both to maintaining a viable agricultural sector in all parts of the country and to securing markets for our fisheries and seafood industry.
The Government will promote greater transparency in the negotiations and as far as possible ensure public access to the process.
We will support countries that promote the interests of the poor countries of the world.
We will carry out a comprehensive review of the consequences of the WTO negotiations for Norwegian agriculture.
[Oversettelsestjenesten, Utenriksdepartementet, 28. oktober 2005]