Subject: CORRECTED: Remarks by President Obama, Prime Minister of Iceland, and Prime Minister of Denmark in Exchange of Toasts
From: White House Press Office<[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 14 May 2016 07:58:38 -0500

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 13, 2016

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA,

PRIME MINISTER SIGURDUR JOHANNSSON OF ICELAND

AND PRIME MINISTER LARS RASMUSSEN OF DENMARK

IN EXCHANGE OF TOASTS

AT STATE DINNER ON THE OCCASION OF U.S.-NORDIC LEADERS SUMMIT

South Lawn Tent 

**Please see below for corrections, marked with an asterisk.

8:54 P.M. EDT

 PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good evening, everyone. On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House. And welcome to this very special dinner as we celebrate the great ties and longstanding friendship between the United States and our five Nordic partners. (Applause.) 

Please join me in welcoming President Niinist and Mrs. Haukio of Finland. (Applause.) Prime Minister Solberg and Mr. Finnes of Norway. (Applause.) Prime Minister and Mrs. Lfven of Sweden. (Applause.) Prime Minister and Mrs. Rasmussen of Denmark. (Applause.) And Prime Minister Jhannsson and Mrs. Ingjaldsdottir of Iceland. (Applause.) 

Now, we all know that our Nordic friends share a pride in their common Viking heritage. But I think we can all admit that the Vikings could be a little rough. (Laughter.) They didnt always have the best manners at the dining table. (Laughter.) Their outfits were not always appropriate. (Laughter.) But times have changed, and tonight, our Nordic friends are much better behaved. (Laughter.) We are honored to have you here. And as you can see from our dcor -- winter is coming. (Laughter.) 

This evening, we have three toasts. So Im going to be brief. And I dont want things to get out of hand. One of the great Old Norse poems -- the Hvaml from Iceland -- offered advice on how to welcome a guest -- sort of like a Miss Manners for Vikings -- (laughter.)

Less good than they say for the sons of men

Is the drinking oft of ale

For the more they drink the less they can think

 And keep a watch over their wits. (Laughter.) 

Good advice. It's perhaps easier said than done. It is true that our Nordic friends have a reputation today, unlike the past, for modesty and propriety. But dont let them fool you. In these Nordic countries, things actually can get a little wild. I understand that in Norway, for example, one of the big hits on TV is National Firewood Night. (Laughter.) This is true. A video of logs burning for hours. (Laughter.) And hours. And hours. That's crazy. (Laughter.) Another show involved a video camera being strapped to the front of a train, so viewers could watch the rails -- for seven hours. (Laughter.) This sounds like riveting entertainment. (Laughter.) 

So were not going to do anything that crazy tonight. (Laughter.) But we are grateful for our friendship with the Nordic peoples -- even if we do sometimes get a little jealous about how perfect they seem to be. 

If youve visited any of these Nordic countries, everything is orderly. Everything is clean. Everybody is well-behaved. It even prompted a best-selling book called, The Almost Nearly Perfect People. But there were some shockers. Apparently, Nordic countries can sometimes get into heated arguments about which country is happiest. (Laughter.) They also do get into arguments about who has the better hockey players -- until America steals them away. (Laughter.) And they also have arguments about who has the honor of being the true hometown of Santa Claus. So these are fierce debates that take place among our Nordic friends. (Laughter.) 

But our work today actually does remind us of why we so value our Nordic partners so much. In each other, we find those who we work with in pursuit of common values that we cherish the most. We stand together so that citizens can live in security and peace. We labor so our economies can create opportunity where prosperity goes -- not just to the top, but for the many. Together, were on the forefront of the fight against climate change, to preserve our glaciers, our fjords, to protect indigenous peoples of the Arctic. And in our own countries and around the world, we stand for the dignity and equality of all people. 

And many of our Nordic friends are familiar with the great Danish pastor and philosopher Grundtvig. And among other causes, he championed the idea of the folk school -- education that was not just made available to the elite but for the many; training that prepared a person for active citizenship that improves society. Over time, the folk school movement spread, including here to the United States. And one of those schools was in the state of Tennessee -- it was called the Highlander Folk School.

At Highlander, especially during the 1950s, a new generation of Americans came together to share their ideas and strategies for advancing civil rights, for advancing equality, and for advancing justice. We know the names of some of those who were trained or participated in the Highlander School. Ralph Abernathy. John Lewis. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They were all shaped, in part, by Highlander and the teachings of a great Nordic philosopher -- and they ended up having a ripple effect on the Civil Rights Movement, and ultimately on making America a better place. We would not have been here had it not been for that stone that was thrown in a lake and created ripples of hope that ultimately spread across an ocean to the United States of America. And I might not be standing here were it not for the efforts of people like Ella Baker and others who participated in the Highlander Folk School. 

So that's just one, small measure of the enormous, positive influence that our Nordic friends have had on our country. And it's part of the reason why we so value their friendship. I've said before, and I will repeat, they punch above their weight. And their values, their contributions not just to making their own countries function well but making the whole world a better place makes them one of our most valuable partners everywhere in the world. And we are very grateful for the outstanding work that they do.

So I propose a toast. To the friendship between us and the values that we share. May our nations keep standing together and bending that arc of the moral universe in the direction of justice and peace and equality for all. Skl! Cheers! 

And with that, I want to welcome Prime Minister Jhannsson of Iceland, to be followed by Prime Minister Rasmussen of Denmark. (Applause.) 

PRIME MINISTER JHANNSSON: Mr. President, Mrs. Obama, let me begin by expressing my pleasure of being here tonight, for your gracious hosting of the Nordic leaders, and for the warm welcome you have extended to Iceland. We are honored to be here as allies, as partners, and most importantly, as friends of the United States. We bring with us the warm greetings and good wishes of our people.

Relations between Iceland and the United States have always been strong. Our initial and ongoing defense partnership has blossomed into a broad friendship that includes the commercial, academic and cultural ties. And, yes, that does sometimes include actress in swan dresses. (Laughter.)

Our friendship is based on solidarity and cooperation on some of todays most complex problems. Building on our 2013 meeting in Stockholm at todays summit, I am pleased we have recognized the excellent Nordic-U.S. cooperation and shared achievements. I'm also pleased that we have committed in our joint statement to further deepen and broaden our cooperation on several key international issues. 

Our world views and interests align. We share the same values -- respect for freedom and democracy, an unshakeable commitment to justice, human rights and the rule of law. We are committed to the principles of gender equality and womens empowerment. We work together for peace and security. 

As we near the end of your time in office, Mr. President, I would like to use this opportunity to commend your leadership, not least on the challenges of climate change, the conclusion of the Paris climate agreement, and on the Arctic. 

The population of Iceland is a thousand times smaller than that of the United States. As you might expect from Viking descended Northmen, we do not hide behind our apparent lack of superpowers status. (Laughter.) What we lack in manpower we make up in volcanoes. (Laughter.) We are still figuring out how to aim them -- (laughter and applause) -- however, so bear with us. (Laughter.) 

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to propose a toast. To the President; to the First Lady; to the people of the United States of America; and to the enduring friendship between our peoples. Skl! (Applause.) 

PRIME MINISTER RASMUSSEN: Mr. President; First Lady; dear colleagues from my neighboring countries; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. Once I was seven years old, my mama told me, go make yourself some friends or youll be lonely. (Laughter.) Those lyrics are from the Danish singer, Lukas Grahams number one hit song here in the U.S. (Applause.) And I'm a lucky guy because my predecessors didnt wait for the song to be released before they actually followed this advice.

And therefore, I'm so privileged and happy to be here tonight, surrounded by friends from the Nordic countries, but first and foremost, you, Mr. President, and your fantastic and dedicated wife, Michelle, and all of your fellow Americans. The United States is truly one of Denmarks closest friends. 

The first time you invited me into the Oval Office, Mr. President, you said that Denmark is punching above our weight. It made me proud. It made us Danes feel a little special. Now, some six years later, I understand that not only Denmark, but all the Nordic countries punch above our weight. (Laughter.) But, nevertheless, I'm still proud. (Laughter and applause.)

And I truly believe the same goes for my colleagues. So you can count on us. And you know that. And that's probably why we are all invited here tonight, because we punch above our weight. And we will continue to do so. And after tonights splendid dinner, we will definitely step up into a whole new weight class. (Laughter.)

The ties between the United States and the Nordics are strong and go way back. As you said, Nordic Vikings cross the Atlantic centuries ago and discovered amazing America. And ever since, millions left our rainy and windy countries looking for a new start in America -- many of them settled in Minnesota. (Applause.) I guess the weather there made them feel right at home. (Laughter.) And the Nordic settlers took part in making America bright and beautiful. 

Scarlett Johansson is just a living proof of that. (Laughter.) And the Swedes and the Finns and the Icelanders did their part, too, contributing to the gene pool that gave you Julia Roberts, Matt Damon and Uma Thurman. And the Norwegians -- well, they gave you Karl Rove. (Laughter and applause.) Among many other things. (Laughter.) 

So I guess it's true to say that we have had a certain impact on America. (Laughter.) In many different ways. So the quick question is, can we Nordics still contribute to America? And the answer is a simple as it is famous -- Yes, we can! (Applause.)

Nordic architects like Bjarke Engels contributed to transforming American cities with projects like the New York skyline and the redesign of the Smithsonian here in Washington, based on a vision of making urban areas more livable, smart and sustainable. Both the U.S. and the Nordic countries try to set positive standards for the world of tomorrow, taking the lead, so to speak.

And speaking of taking the lead, speaking of leadership, it is easy to see the importance and value of your leadership, Mr. President. So without interfering in American politics, I can truly and without a doubt say that you have been the best President *you[Europe] has ever had. (Applause.) 

Now your presidency is coming to an end. And I have something to admit. I'm very fond of the Donald, too. (Laughter.) I support him as president. Hes pretty smart, shows great leadership skills, a true visionary. And I'm, of course, talking about Donald Tusk, who is President of the European Council. (Laughter.) Which, in your absence, is the best President *you[Europe] could have. (Laughter.) 

Well, being a role model is not always easy, so I've heard. But you, Mr. President, have come to represent a dream for millions of Americans and people across the world. We share a common vision of securing good, affordable health care to all. And I greatly respect your achievement in this regard. Your leadership was also key to the Paris agreement on climate change last year. (Applause.) Well, both of us were disappointed after Copenhagen, but then we worked hard, and finally, in Paris, we succeeded. And we continue our work together on the green transition.

And recently, Mr. President, you swept the White House in the rainbow colors. Being the first country on Earth to allow same-sex partnership, Denmark admires and supports your fight for diversity and equal rights. (Applause.) 

Nevertheless, your presidency is slowly coming to an end. So Congress will probably try to block both of your initiatives in the time to come. I guess that can be frustrating. Believe me, being the leader of a very small minority government, I know that from personal experience. (Laughter.) And if I may, allow me to give you a piece of personal advice. When I get too frustrated, I let off steam by cooking. And I can recommend that. And if you do take my advice, I think you could be inspired by the new Nordic cuisine. It already involves eatable varieties such as musk, bark, and eating ants. (Laughter.) But maybe you could be helpful in our search for a recipe called lame duck. (Laughter.) 

Mr. President, you are a great friend and ally. Slrun and I will always be very happy to welcome you and your family to Copenhagen. And Denmark would, as all the Nordic countries, I believe, be honored to receive one of the most inspirational and charming figures in America -- along with her husband, of course. (Laughter.)

So, dear Michelle, dear Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, let me propose a toast for the strong relations between our nations, the very special cross-Atlantic friendship between U.S. and the Nordic countries. To friendship. Skl! Cheers! (Applause.)

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Dinner is now served. But I think we've just identified the next comic for the White House Correspondents Dinner. (Laughter and applause.)

Enjoy, everybody. Thank you! (Applause.) 

 END 9:17 P.M. EDT