IN 1969, FOUR years before he was appointed Foreign Minister, Knut Frydenlund argued: ‘The smaller countries may in my opinion play an important part. It is the small countries that first recognize their own inadequacy.’

Policy-makers, historians and political scientists are all looking through the status seeking lens to enhance, defend and explain Norwegian foreign and international policies, the diplomatic influence and standing of a small but still significant power like Norway. In a sense Norway obtained the best of both international worlds, on the one hand the traditional strong links and strategic alliance with Great Britain and the United States, continued in NATO, and on the other a central global policy, emphasizing peace, cooperation and development strategies. In my day as Norwegian Ambassador in Dar es Salaam I had more staff than our Embassy in Washington. I also held the highest Norwegian development budget and Tanzania has been the main recipient since 1962. Our presence supported our status as a global facilitator, proud peace nation and extended the sense of national honour. The Norwegian initiatives for the Syrian donor conferences must be seen in this light. ‘A country of just five million maintains a formidable humanitarian reputation.’ Soft power.

Is NATO membership sufficient for our security as we face Russia's destabilizing policies, transnational terrorist groups, the evolution of cyber weapons and more fragile states? Norway is not irrelevant outside the EU but would gain political relevance and security inside. We would be stronger with a seat at the European top table.

I have briefly introduced contemporary Norway through key elements of our history and culture, leading to a foreign policy perspective, focusing on European integration, the challenges and opportunities in the High North and the relationship with Russia. It creates a natural link to our past, to the economy and society today and the perspectives and possibilities for the future.

If we look at the development of Norwegian society against a backdrop of the successful oil adventure, old insights and new challenges appear. Behind the newspapers and media debate and the apparent frank exchange of views, a shyness and modesty is hidden, as if an invisible poster appears for the inner eye warning that too much frankness would be inappropriate and could be punished: no Channel 4 News or BBC Newsnight equivalents emerge.