Trine Lise Sundnes, a member of parliament for the Norwegian Labour Party and leader of the Norwegian European Movement, wants Norway to join the European Union as soon as possible. There is a window to reach a good deal now, but in five years it will be too late. Norway is in danger of being left behind if Iceland joins.
The leadership of the Labour Party, which is in government, has been cautious in the EU debate, which is becoming increasingly heated in light of the situation in international politics. There are threats from Russia in the east and the United States in the west. There are calls from many places for European nations to stand together to face these threats.
The Window Is Now Open
As reported in an iNyheter report on the matter, Sundnes wants Norway to join the EU as soon as possible.
“There is an open window now. I think it will be much more difficult to reach good agreements in five years,” says Sundnes. “The EU needs us.”
Sundnes says that Norway is in a good negotiating position right now, as the EU is under pressure due to international instability.
“The best window for negotiation is always when the contracting party needs something, as the European Union does now. What does the EU need today? Yes, it needs solidarity and strength,” says Sundnes.
Another obstacle is the movement on European issues in Iceland. If Iceland and possibly other European countries join the European Union in the near future, Norway could end up as the only country with only an EEA agreement.
“The question is whether we are going to stand on the sidelines and suffer the consequences afterwards or whether we want to have a real influence on the decisions that shape the daily lives of people in Norway,” Sundnes tells the newspaper FriFagvegelse.
Although the leadership of the Labour Party is cautious, a movement towards Europe is taking place within it. Among other things, the Oslo branch of the party, to which Sundnes belongs, concluded last year that Norway’s interests would be best served within the European Union.
Conservatives Are Also More Positive
Another thing that could bring movement to European issues in Norway is the leadership election in the Conservative Party. But Ine Eriksen Söreide was elected leader there and she is much more positive towards the European Union than her predecessors.
“We cannot carry the European debate alone. We must be a party that participates in the debate about Norway’s interests and the future of Norway with pride and self-confidence, not be the party that waits for others to take the lead,” Söreide said in a speech at the Conservative Party’s party convention. “The answer is more cooperation, with Europe and countries that share our values. Not standing alone.”
Söreide is by no means alone in this view. For example, the Conservative-led city councils in Bergen and Stavanger have concluded that Norway’s interests are best served within the European Union.
Source: DV (in Icelandic)