Does EU beg Norway to become a member?

[VetLegion]

Well, in one of the discussions here in Croatia about the EU, someone mentioned that we should wait with the membership... until they ask us to become a member. It's a common pride-related statement, wrong in my opinion.

I noted that Switzerland and Norway, being rich and developed aren't begged to become members, so we wouldn't be either (when we develop more). I also noted that UK was refused membership twice despite its importance, and that any idea that someone is going to break a sweat asking Croatia to become a member is wishful thinking.

So the guy replies that EU indeed is begging Norway to become a member.

Who is right? I figure that there are Norwegians on this board who could know this.

[BeBMan]

I don't know if anyone "begs" but even without being member, Norway participates in certain ways in the common market, and in the "Schengen" rules.....

No idea if this helpful, but still it makes a nice bump

[VetLegion]

Well if Norway was in it would help EU budget as it would be a net donor. Still, I don't know if there is a concentrated effort on behalf of EU to bring Norway in. What form would that effort have anyway?

[Last Conformist]

There's no "begging" for Norway to join going on. There's a standing offer for them to join when they feel like it.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Well if Norway was in it would help EU budget as it would be a net donor. Still, I don't know if there is a concentrated effort on behalf of EU to bring Norway in. What form would that effort have anyway?

I suspect it would have the effect of perhaps increasing the number of Norwegian students at British universities. I couldn't believe how many there were at Manchester and UMIST in the early 80s.

It was like the Vikings all over again....

[BeBMan]

What form would that effort have anyway?

No idea, invasion? Nah, of course not....

Seriously, there are probably talks with political forces in Norway, but in the end it's their decision, and they will probably hold a referendum again anyway.

OTOH I read in a German media article that the failure to implement the constitution could bring Norway faster into the Eu, since this means a lower intensity of integration, which comes closer to the Norwegian idea of how the the Eu should be. But at this point it is much speculation.

[VetLegion]

That's a good point. Norway shares a lot of scepticism about EU with other scandinavian coutries. So, if we look at it this way:

The motive:

- net inflow of a billion (more?) euros from Norway annualy (1% of EU budget)

The person:

- If France and Germany want further integration, then yet another country opposing it is not in their best interest, is it? So who is the entity doing the effort? EU bureaucrats? What do they have of it?


That is why I have simply concluded that given the amount of money, and the motives of the players, the "cajoling Norway into EU" simply isn't happening.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by VetLegion



That is why I have simply concluded that given the amount of money, and the motives of the players, the "cajoling Norway into EU" simply isn't happening.

Clearly some kind of concerted effort to entice them needs to be made- perhaps free or discounted supplies of potent alcohol from around the E.U. member states, and large stocks of pickled herring and Fair Isle jumpers.

[Gangerolf]

Because of the EEA treaty Norway (along with Iceland and Liechtenstein) is pretty much an EU member already. A member with no influence on the decision making, that is. So I don't see why the EU would beg for Norway to join.

[Gangerolf]

Originally posted by molly bloom



Clearly some kind of concerted effort to entice them needs to be made- perhaps free or discounted supplies of potent alcohol from around the E.U. member states, and large stocks of pickled herring and Fair Isle jumpers.

That would probably lead to 90% "ja" in the next referendum. Well I suppose there is deep sceptisism to furrin fish but if it's free...

[germanos]

Re: Does EU beg Norway to become a member?

Originally posted by VetLegion
Well, in one of the discussions here in Croatia about the EU, someone mentioned that we should wait with the membership... until they ask us to become a member...

That's brilliant. I hope there's more of 'em down there.

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by Gangerolf
Because of the EEA treaty Norway (along with Iceland and Liechtenstein) is pretty much an EU member already. A member with no influence on the decision making, that is. So I don't see why the EU would beg for Norway to join.

You're not conrtibuting to the budget?

[Gangerolf]

Oh and Norway is paying money to the EU, about €230 million per year, half of which goes to Poland.

[Gangerolf]

budget? no I don't think so.

[Ted Striker]

**** the EU

Suomi, come roll with NAFTA