The 2020s have been tough so far. Pandemic, extreme weather, war in Europe and a bloody bombing of Gaza.
The Prime Minister sets the tone early in the speech:
– And let’s be honest: For many, 2023 was a year where we encountered forces beyond our control, forces that made many uneasy and insecure, says Støre.
He refers to war, extreme weather, expensive times and climate change.
– In the past year, many people had their lives, surroundings or finances turned upside down. From forces beyond our control, says Støre.
The Prime Minister says that war in the world creates fear here at home too.
Email from a 14-year-old
Støre tells about an email he received from 14-year-old Maria Al-Farra in Bergen. She told about relatives who had been killed in Gaza. She told the Prime Minister that the children of the Gaza Strip are innocent and asked if the world should not be fair.
– Maria, you are absolutely right. All children, all people, matter equally, says Støre.
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The Prime Minister says that terror and war always hit civilians the hardest. He refers to young people who were killed at a festival when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.
– The population of Gaza has been living with unimaginable suffering week after week. Tens of thousands have been killed and injured. A great many of them are children, says Støre.
– And that is deeply upsetting, he adds.
– Stop the warfare
Støre says that Norway is doing what it can to prevent the spread of the conflict.
– Norway’s voice is clear: Stop the hostilities. People in need must get help.
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Støre also devotes space to the war in Ukraine. He says history has shown that people with their inner strength and humanity have managed to rise after wars. And that this is why Norway supports Ukraine.
– We are not powerless. We must hold on to hope. That is why Norway also supports the Ukrainians’ struggle, says Støre.
– Their fight is also our fight because our Europe becomes more insecure when brutal armed force is used to deprive others of their freedom and move borders, says the Prime Minister.
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Want people to get better advice
He says that the government has invited a broad settlement on the long-term plan for the Armed Forces, but emphasizes that Norway is not under threat.
At the same time, the Prime Minister acknowledges that the unrest in the world affects people here at home. Many have received worse advice. Støre repeats that he believes we are approaching a turning point.
– The government’s goal is clear: People must get better advice.
Støre also addresses climate change – and says we must listen to the young.
– Going forward, climate action must go faster than the changes. It is our responsibility, and it is our great opportunity, says Støre.
Støre devotes space to the sea wind in the speech.
– Within a couple of decades, power from offshore wind can be as large as hydropower, says the Prime Minister.
Despite the many problems in the world, the prime minister reiterates this point:
– We are not powerless.
The meeting with victims of Hans
The Prime Minister says that one of the strongest images he is left with from 2023 is a meeting with victims of the extreme weather Hans. He tells about Olaug and Halgeir Viken, who were hit in Ål in Hallingdal.
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They were sitting by the kitchen window when a landslide took the house.
– The couple found each other, got to the highway, stopped a car and called 112. The house was destroyed. Everything was gone, says Støre.
– In the clean-up that followed, there was only one thing that wasn’t destroyed, one thing to take with them to a new home: A small piece of a wall, with three photographs: the wedding photo and their two boys as children.
Støre says he met the couple at the hospital – and that they took it all in stride.
– Take things in stride – even this – we like to do that in Norway. But it was easy to see that they – like others – had been insecure and afraid. Many lost a lot. But they didn’t lose each other.
2024-01-01 18:38:43
#Støre #powerless
