Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset made his first official visit to Norway from 24 to 25 March, where he discussed strengthening Europe's democratic resilience and deepening cooperation on common challenges.
In meetings with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, Secretary General Berset explored the current challenges to multilateralism, the key geopolitical developments in Europe and beyond, as well as a potential enhanced role for the Council of Europe within the European Political Community (EPC). Discussions also focused on combatting disinformation and safeguarding freedom of expression - core pillars of democratic security. Norway is currently working on a White Paper on democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Europe, with a particular focus on the Council of Europe. In this context, the exchange on the Council of Europe's progress towards a New Democratic Pact was very fruitful.
Prime Minister Støre reaffirmed Norway's unwavering support for the Council of Europe and its commitment to promoting the work on accountability for Ukraine and broader geopolitical unity.
Speaking at a public event at the University of Oslo on "Democratic Resilience in a Time of Backsliding," the Secretary General emphasised the urgent need to reinforce democratic principles:
"This is why the Council of Europe is working on a New Pact for Democracy: Free elections, judicial independence, social justice, freedom of expression - these are the pillars of the New Democratic Pact. In times when human rights, democracy, and the rule of law are constantly threatened, we must make them stronger, more adaptable to old and new challenges, and more inclusive."
During his visit, Secretary General Berset also met with Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kjersti Stenseng, members of Norway's Parliament (Storting), the Norwegian delegation to the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), and the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. He also met with representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Equality, as well as with Ministry of Education and the European Wergeland Centre, with whom he had a rich exchange on the key role of education in tackling democratic backsliding.
Finally, the Secretary General had interesting exchanges with Norwegian civil society organisations on challenging human rights situations in Europe and beyond.
