Norway and the European Union

Interdependence prevents conflict

Since the Middle Ages, European nations have frequently been at war with each other. The increasing interdependence of EU member states makes war an unlikely option. Generally speaking; when a country joins the Union, more continuous dialogue relaxes relations and prevents conflicts.

Unity against external threats

In e.g. a potential cold war scenario, unity and solidarity amongst member states could be important. It is reasonable to assume that Norway as an EU member would experience greater solidarity by other member states in such a situation. Today, NATO doesn't cover all of the EU, and deeper military cooperation between EU members is expected to be deepened.^[4] Former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland has argued that Norway would have a stronger position within NATO if it had an EU membership.^[5]

Influence over decisions that affect Norway

Since its signing in 1994, the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement between EFTA and the EU has been under fire by both the Pro-EU and eurosceptic camps in Norway. It has been criticised for being an undemocratic intrusion upon Norwegian law due to the lack of any Norwegian participation in the formulation of legislation. Norway has a right to abstain, but has never used it. If Norway became an EU member, it would take part in the shaping of the laws and have a vote on EU decisions making in general.

Adopt the single currency

If Norway became a member it could legally adopt the euro in line with recommendation of the European Central Bank, as opposed to adopting it unilaterally.^[6] A 2007 report suggested that Norway would benefit from doing so because the Norwegian economy is very similar to that of the Eurozone. The swap of currency would be especially positive for the export industry. ^[7]

Little reform needed

Norway is already compliant with most additional requirements that EU membership would imply, to the point that a few years ago Romano Prodi, then president of the European Commission, commented that "Norway is already the best member of the EU".^{[citation needed]}

Participation and influence

The EU is emerging as an economical and political counterbalance to the United States and rising Asian economies on the world stage.

Economic security

When the oil and gas alongside the Norwegian coast has run out, membership in the European Union might offer economic security and solidarity.

Norway losing cash by staying out of EU

Norway annually loses out on €180 million by not being an EU member, according to the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.^[8] Fishermen would gain from membership as the cost of entering the EU market would disappear and they would be able to fish in all EU waters.^[9]

Reduction in subsidies, cheaper food and alcohol

Those opposed to Norway's heavy subsidies for farming point out that protectionism by import barriers in this sector has led to very high prices in food for consumers, and increased competition would lower them. Opening to the EU market may also require Norway to reduce its heavy taxes on alcohol.^{[citation needed]}

Securing Nynorsk

Further shearing of sovereignty

Norway would have to amend its constitution to become a member. It would have MEPs and its own European Commissioner, but would have to rely on the opinions of other members states in more policy areas than with today's EEA agreement.

Democratic deficit and little transparency

Currently, many EU decision makers, such as the European Commissioners, are appointed by member states' governments, and not directly by EU citizens. When national ministers gather in the Council of the European Union, their process of deciding have been criticised for not being transparent enough.

It should however be noted that the proposed Treaty of Lisbon which is expected to come into force early 2009, empowers the directly elected (by the people of Norway also, had it been a member) European Parliament, partly at the expense of Council. The new treaty also requires all meetings of the Council to be held in public.

Agriculture and fisheries

In case of EU membership, Norway would have to take part in the Common Fisheries Policy. Norwegian fishing quotas would have to be shared with the rest of the EU.^{[citation needed]} Some claim the coastal areas of Norway, which rely heavily on fishing industry, would suffer from a reduced share of the catch.^{[citation needed]}

The often steep Norwegian topography is unfavourable for agriculture. Some fear that Norway's relatively small farming industry would be disadvantageously exposed to competition from other parts of the Internal Market. Some fear state subsidies to Norwegian farming and fisheries would be made illegal, furthermore depopulating rural areas.^{[citation needed]}

Reduction in economic self-determination

Euro adoption is de jure obligatory for all new member states of the European Union, and the European Central Bank would control Norway's interest rate and monetary policy. This would, for example, make it impossible for the Norwegian government to use the rate as a political tool. In 2008, a DnB NOR economist said that Norway would not benefit sufficiently on adopting the euro due to the impact of high oil-prices on Norway's economy.^[10]

Threat to cultural identity

An argument is that closer ties with the rest of Europe could water-down Norwegian culture and language.

• www.jasiden.no — The European Movement in Norway

• www.europeiskungdom.no — European Youth in Norway

• www.neitileu.no — The eurosceptics

• www.umeu.no — Youth against the EU