The Norwegian response to violence is more democracy, more openness and greater political participation.

Today we are all Egyptians.

By voting, we add our voice to the chorus that forms opinions and the basis for actions.

We see a more assertive Russia, which has implemented a very significant military buildup over several years, and a Russia which has used military force against neighbors, especially Ukraine.

As long as NATO changes when the world is changing, we will be very important for the security of all our allies, including the United States.

We have a high standard of living. ... In Norway, we've tripled our income since 1970. In the rest of western Europe, income has merely doubled.

What NATO troops are doing in Afghanistan is to train, assist and advise Afghans, but they are actually doing the fighting. They are actually taking the responsibility for the security in their own country. And that is a great achievement, compared to what we saw just a few years ago, when NATO troops had to conduct the combat operations fighting the Taliban.