Norway is a peaceful country whose harmonious nature has been shown through the peace efforts made by its government in many military conflict areas around the world. In fact, on several occasions Norway has been asked to serve as a facilitator for peace negotiations between warring parties, and has agreed in certain cases to take on this difficult and challenging task.

For instance, in the current peace process in Sri Lanka, Norwegian facilitators are assisting the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) with the negotiation of a comprehensive peace agreement. On February 22-23, 2006, Norway facilitated the first high-level talks that had occurred between the two sides in the past three years. Taking place in Geneva, discussions focused on issues regarding a proposed ceasefire, its implementation and the next round of peace talks.

In Sudan, Norway is an active supporter of the peace efforts being made under the auspices of Kenya and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional co-operation organization. Together with the UK and the USA, Norway is helping mobilize sufficient international support. This will give the forces of peace a superior advantage in the process.

Norway has long held a central role in the peace processes of other countries as well. For example, the Oslo Process in the Middle East resulted in the peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians that was signed in 1993. Those efforts continue today as Norway chairs the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, a group of countries working to implement the Road Map to Peace. Moreover, Norway’s participation in the peace process in Guatemala resulted in a peace agreement signed in Oslo in 1996, and the vital work of implementing the agreement, which continues today.

Norway is able to play a facilitating role in these peace processes because as a small country it has no vested interest in the conflicts. Its only interest is to contribute to a peaceful solution, a stance that the country has been known to express through its willingness to provide financial support for peace as well.

The Norwegian government holds the progressive belief that the work for international peace and security is relevant to all, and that no country can simply leave it to the UN to find solutions to armed conflicts. Norway’s exemplary role in these worldwide peace negotiations makes it clear that all nations should join in and participate, especially in cases where the UN and the Security Council are not able to resolve a country’s problems themselves. Lastly, it is important to recognize that conflicts in even far-away countries directly influence the security and well-being of our own, because we ultimately are all one.