4 ms·

>Too simple a take on the relations between EU and Norway It's just the truth. Norway is not a member of the EU. But I agree that it is good to have a strong u

>Too simple a take on the relations between EU and Norway It's just the truth. Norway is not a member of the EU. But I agree that it is good to have a strong understanding of what exactly the relationship is between Norway and the European Union.

Arnt 6y ago
Some of you may be noticed that the EU tends to make decisions that are acceptable to the countries that pay.
oblio 6y ago
The truth is that except for some quite narrow fields, the EU decides a lot of things and Norway has to accept those things. They're like Switzerland, which hemmeded and hawed about immigration from the EU, held a referendum deciding to block it, and then when the EU put an economic gun to their head, backed down and all EU citizens now have freedom of movement to Switzerland.
- _Microft 6y ago
  Freedom of movement (and a lot of other things) is guaranteed in the Bilateral I agreements [0] between the EU and Switzerland which are protected by a so-called guillotine clause [1]. The latter meaning that violation of any part of the agreement would void all of it. The result of the referendum would definitely violate part of the agreement and the EU just reminded Switzerland of the consequences. If anything it could be blamed on the initiators and supporters (SVP) of the referendum to not properly inform the populace of the consequences of a successful referendum. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland%E2%80%93European_Union_relations#Treaties https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland%E2%80%93European_U... [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillotine_clause https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillotine_clause
- 082349872349872 6y ago
  We've spent almost three decades negotiating and harmonising with the EU and still have plenty to work out afresh every year, so if the UK thinks it will tie up its divorce with a bowed ribbon in three months, the only word I have for that negotiating position is: brave.

Arnt 6y ago

Some of you may be noticed that the EU tends to make decisions that are acceptable to the countries that pay.

oblio 6y ago

The truth is that except for some quite narrow fields, the EU decides a lot of things and Norway has to accept those things. They're like Switzerland, which hemmeded and hawed about immigration from the EU, held a referendum deciding to block it, and then when the EU put an economic gun to their head, backed down and all EU citizens now have freedom of movement to Switzerland.

_Microft 6y ago
Freedom of movement (and a lot of other things) is guaranteed in the Bilateral I agreements [0] between the EU and Switzerland which are protected by a so-called guillotine clause [1]. The latter meaning that violation of any part of the agreement would void all of it. The result of the referendum would definitely violate part of the agreement and the EU just reminded Switzerland of the consequences. If anything it could be blamed on the initiators and supporters (SVP) of the referendum to not properly inform the populace of the consequences of a successful referendum. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland%E2%80%93European_Union_relations#Treaties https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland%E2%80%93European_U... [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillotine_clause https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillotine_clause
082349872349872 6y ago
We've spent almost three decades negotiating and harmonising with the EU and still have plenty to work out afresh every year, so if the UK thinks it will tie up its divorce with a bowed ribbon in three months, the only word I have for that negotiating position is: brave.