A speech given by Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres in Oslo, Norway, on 10 December 1994, upon receiving the Nobel Peace Prize along with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat. Speaking of his personal history and of Israel's wars, Peres described the modern world as one where national distinctions are diminishing in importance, and where progress depends on universal cooperation and a belief in common values. He then presented his vision for the Middle east as an abode of freedom and creativity.