As delivered by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Ambassador Helge Seland,

Managing Director Fidjestøl,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

“We are witnessing authoritarian political forces gaining ground — even in allied and closely aligned countries.”

That is one of the very first lines in Norway’s new White Paper, which will be presented here this morning.

It does not exaggerate. Nor does it speculate.

It states, with cold clarity, the reality we are now living through.

And it forces us — all of us — out of our comfort zone.

***

Nowhere is this more evident than in the fight against disinformation.

We saw it in Romania’s presidential elections.

And again, in last year’s referendum and presidential election in the Republic of Moldova.

Just to mention a couple of examples.

But each time, the tactics are the same.

Foreign interference.

AI-generated deepfakes.

False stories about Ukraine. About migrants. About anything that undermines trust.

Narratives that discredit candidates — and target elections themselves.

And none of it is true.

But all of it is designed to divide — and to destabilise.

***

It is therefore good to acknowledge that disinformation is one of five Mission-Driven Initiatives we are concluding agreements on here and now, today.

And in addition to disinformation – the four other key priorities are:

• Violence against women,
• Action against corruption and money laundry,
• Response to hate speech and hate crime,
• And the rule of law.

These initiatives are being launched under the new seven-year Framework Agreement for cooperation between the Council of Europe and the EEA and Norway Grants.

This Framework aims to mobilise up to 20 million euros in support of shared democratic goals.

As of today, 13.7 million euros have already been contracted — with additional annual appropriations to be made at the discretion of the donors.

***

None of this would be possible without the generosity, commitment, and foresight of the donor countries — in particular, Norway.

When war rages on in Ukraine — unabated.

As we seek accountability and justice for Ukraine.

When our democracies are being undermined

And as the rules-based order is tested, even by those who helped build it.

Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland are stepping up.

They remind us of why the work and the mandate of the Council of Europe are so important — and what we must do next.

***

For 15 years, the EEA and Norway Grants have helped us reach citizens in 15 of our member states.

And now, they will help support our New Democratic Pact for Europe.

By helping turn the Reykjavik Declaration into real progress — including when it comes to following through on the judgments of our European Court of Human Rights.

***

Dear friends,

The warning in Norway’s White Paper is clear:

Authoritarian forces are gaining ground — even where we least expect it.

But today’s agreements are proof that we are not standing still – or remain a spectator.

Through the EEA and Norway Grants, we are choosing to act — together.

We very much look forward to actively contributing to this new cycle of these two financial mechanisms.

And I thank and congratulate everyone who made this possible.

Thank you.