Annan notes exemplary give-and-take in 1905 dissolution of Norway-Sweden union

The compromises in the Karlstad agreement between Norway and Sweden in the peaceful dissolution of their union 100 years ago are an inspiration to a world still riven by conflict, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today, marking the anniversary year of the separation.

"Norway and Sweden went on to become good neighbours, close partners in regional Nordic cooperation and exemplary Member States of the United Nations," he said, as well as having contributed the first and second UN Secretaries-General, Dag Hammarskjöld and Trygvie Lee.

"Both (countries) are long-standing donors of development assistance, generous providers of humanitarian relief and steadfast contributors to peacekeeping operations – thus showing solidarity and sharing their prosperity throughout the world," Mr. Annan said.

Both would doubtless continue play important roles "to help strengthen the United Nations as it adapts to deal with the challenges of the 21st century," he said.