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Norway - European Union

Norway has since 1994 been associated with the EU inner market through the agreement on European Economic Area (EEA). On two occasions, by referendum in 1972 and 1994, a majority of Norwegian voters have rejected EU membership. By 2014 the opposition to a Norwegian membership of the EU was increasing. More than seven out of ten say no to the European Union, according to a fresh survey made by Sentio. Only 19 per cent of those asked are in favour of Norwegian membership of the EU. This is shown by the poll made for the newspapers Klassekampen and Nationen.

In 1961 the Labour Government applied for membership in the EEC (together with the UK and Denmark). The application led to a certain grassroots mobilization against membership of the EEC. This mobilization was gathering momentum when the application in January 1963 was put aside by the French president de Gaulle's veto against British membership of the EEC.

A coalition government (The Conservative Party + three "center" parties) applied for membership - once more together with the UK and Denmark. For a second time the application was stopped by a French veto against British membership. There was no time for a real debate on EEC membership in 1967. The same coalition government applied for membership of the EEC in June 1970. This provoked an intense debate and a huge mobilization against membership. A referendum was held on 25. September 1972. A majority of 53.6 % voted "no". At a similar referendum in Denmark a majority voted "yes", and Denmark entered the EEC together with the UK and Ireland.

For 15 years EEC membership was a taboo question in Norwegian politics. During the referendum campaign 1970-72 the Labour party leadership was the main political force promoting Norwegian membership of the EEC. After the referendum of 1972 the Labour party was split. Many anti-EEC members left the party and joined the Socialist Left party.

In January 1989, in a speech to the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission, Jacques Delors, proposes a new form of partnership between EFTA and the EC, which was to become the Agreement on the European Economic Area (the EEA Agreement). His aim was "a new form of association, with common decision-making and administrative institutions." During 1990 and 1991 the whole establishment kept telling the people: It is no longer possible to remain outside the EU. The Berlin Wall has come down. Now comes the New Europe, and Norway must be part of it. The organization "No to the EU" was founded as an information group in 1988 - and was established as a proper organization in August 1990. "No to the EU" is the main - and in fact the only - broad "cross-political" organization opposed to Norwegian membership of the EU.

No to the EU is the Norwegian No Movement; an antiracist and pan political organization which strives for Norwegian sovereignty and independence from the European Union. No to the EU is a member-based, nationwide organization with 27.000 members (2012), regional offices in each of the 19 Norwegian counties, and a staff of 21 employees. The organization No to the EU is a non-governmental organization. Simultaneously the organization functions as an arena, a resource centre and as a coordinator for all organizations and political parties opposing Norwegian EU-membership. No to the EU is also an information centre for the public, with organized discussions and debates. No to the EU is a well-known participant on the Norwegian political debate.

Opposition against the EU has been dominated by groups of the center-left: there is little organised opposition in Norway of the kind represented in Britain by business interests and the Conservative Party. Two themes have been fundamental in Norway for the campaign against membership. First, there is the perception that cherished democratic values at the national as well as the local level are best retained outside the EU. Second, there is scepticism in Norway towards the market liberalism embedded in successive EU treaties. The EU seems to design a society where local and national communities are replaced by companies and banks as the fundamental building blocks.

Why does such a big part of the Norwegian society resist so vehemently Norwegian membership of the EU? Norway has a long history of exceptionalism. Norway remains today the only nation to explicitly reject EU membership in referenda twice. A common theme of both "no" campaigns was that the EU was not democratic enough, did not promote fair trade and did not reflect Norway's high standards. Resistance to EU membership remains at record levels today, showing a continued reluctance to join the vast majority of other European nations.

Norway joined the European Economic Area (EEA) in 1994. The EEA Agreement covers most aspects of its relations with the EU. Within the EU single market, all relevant laws, except those dealing with agriculture and fisheries, apply to Norway. Norway participates in a number of EU Agencies and programs, albeit with no voting rights.

The Maastricht Treaty, establishing the European Union (EU), came into effect in 1993. The Treaty introduced the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and co-operation in the field of justice and home affairs (CJHA). The European security and defence policy (ESDP) is part of the CFSP. The Amsterdam Treaty entered into force in 1999. The Petersberg tasks of the Western European Union (WEU) are incorporated into the Treaty on the European Union. They are humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping tasks and combat-force tasks in crisis management, including peacemaking. The Amsterdam Treaty also integrates the Schengen legislation into the EU framework. As a result of this, Norway and Iceland sign an agreement with the EU to extend their Schengen association. In 2001 the Schengen Convention entered into force for Norway, Iceland and the three other members of the Nordic passport union. All passport control between Norway and the fourteen Schengen countries is abolished.

Within the context of the ESDP, in 1999 the Helsinki European Council established a "Headline Goal" for EU Member States in terms of their military capabilities for crisis management operations. The aim is to establish a rapid reaction force of up to 60 000 troops by the year 2003. Norway offered to contribute up to 3 500 troops supplemented by air and maritime elements to the force. Within the context of the ESDP, in 2000 the Feira European Council defined four priority areas for the civilian aspects of crisis management. Member States should be able to provide 5000 police officers by 2003 for international missions. Norway pledged to participate with up to 80 officers.

Norwegians enjoy nearly all the privileges of EU citizens and Norway is a substantial annual contributor to the EU budget. The government generally agrees with EU foreign policy. Despite official claims that remaining outside the EU allows Norway freedom of action, many Labor Party leaders would like to be in the EU. However, Norwegian society and the current GON coalition are split on the EU issue (the Socialist Left and the Center Party strongly oppose EU membership). Referendum defeats over EU membership and strong opposition in opinion polls prevent any formal increase in Norway's ties to the EU. Informal agreements such as participation in the EU Nordic battle group and with EU Security and Defense Policy bodies, and closer ties to EU members Sweden and Finland are alternatives.