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The sky was high and blue. The twin towers of the World Trade Center were catching the early morning sun. The winds were mild, whispering about a beautiful autumn day. People were on their way to work. Subways and buses were full. Parents waved goodbye to their children at school. The first shift began. It was an early autumn morning like any other in New York City.

It was September 11.

In minutes only, this beautiful morning transformed into an inferno of fire, smoke and falling ruins. In minutes only, three aircraft crashed into central buildings in New York and Washington DC. A fourth plane missed its target: the Capitol, the very heart of American democracy.

In minutes only, thousands of innocent people lost their lives, thousands of children, parents, friends and relatives lost those loved.

Your Majesties, Your Royal Highness, Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

With September 11 the threats of a new era became reality. What we witnessed was one of the worst terror attacks ever directed at an individual nation in times of peace. It was more than an attack against the United States of America. The sting of the terror attacks was targeted at open society, at democratic society itself.

It was an attack on all of us who believe in democracy and the opportunities an open society offers for freedom and security.

* * *

When faced with the terror, the obvious suddenly becomes crystal clear:

we are all part of something bigger, we are all dependent on each other, we all share responsibilities.

We knew that open democratic society can never be taken for granted. Even so, September 11 was a brutal reminder of how vulnerable is the open world, how vulnerable is democracy. If democracy is not capable of putting an end to terrorism, terrorism will be able to put an end to democracy.

There is no doubt what must be done. The world's democracies chose to act together. The fight against terrorism must continue. As must the fight for democracy and people's right to live in peace and freedom in open societies.

As must the fight against poverty and violations of human rights.

* * *

Ladies and Gentlemen, What do we need to prevent future acts of terror?

A beautiful answer is given in a poem of the Swedish author Ragnar Thoursie:

"An open city
we shall build together,
free of defensive walls.
Its light will shine towards
the loneliness of space."

What we need is a world in freedom, democracy and peace. What we need is a world where we meet without fear, as the equals we are.
As simple as that, and therefore so hard.

* * *

Close to 3 000 people from 78 different countries died during the terror attacks a year ago.

But the loss involved cannot be measured in figures. Behind every figure is an individual - an individual like you and me, equally unique, once full of life.

Let us on this anniversary remember those who were murdered. Let us turn our thoughts to those who were wounded and traumatized, and to all those who were close to them. Let us send our thanks to those who were there to help, this particular autumn morning, on September 11, one year ago.

Thank you.