WORLD> Europe
Norway wants close cooperation with Obama
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-21 11:03

STOCKHOLM -- Norway is keen on close cooperation with new US President Barack Obama and his administration to deal with common challenges, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday.

"We need unifying solutions and an active engagement on the part of the United States" in order to meet the great challenges such as the global financial crisis, climate change and poverty, Stoltenberg said in a statement posted on the government's website.

"We cannot allow the economic downturn to undermine our efforts to help the world's poor, to put in place a new climate agreement and to secure peace and security," he said.

Stoltenberg also encouraged President Obama to address himself to the Middle East peace efforts with a view to providing new impetus to the process.

He also emphasized the importance of bilateral relations between Norway and the United States, adding that his country still needs to continue the close transatlantic cooperation.