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    In Norvegia c’è ora l’urgente necessità di un nuovo dibattito sull’UE

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    1. No_Firefighter5926 on

      Norway is a tiny country with vast resources. Our oil and gas industry makes us a potential target for hostile powers. We share a border with Russia, which cannot be trusted. For years we have cooperated closely with the United States, which is currently threatening a peaceful European ally. What should we do?

      The answer is obvious. Just as an acute security policy situation led both Sweden and Finland to take up the debate and join NATO in record time, it is now high time for a new EU debate here at home.

      In a world where the superpowers Russia, China and the United States are clearly showing that they want to dominate their own “spheres of interest” and settle down, it has suddenly become precarious for Europe to stand more united. Norway should be part of this community.

      The EU issue is a hot topic in Norway. We have said no twice, but it has now been over 30 years since the last referendum. The world looks different today. It is not certain that a new debate will lead to a “yes”. But we must discuss this again. We cannot afford not to.

      There may be many reasons why the Labour Party and the Conservative Party have shied away. The EU debate can be both upsetting and divisive, at the same time as we need unity and community.

      Opposition to the EU has also been strong over time. A poll from December last year shows that 53 percent say “no” to EU membership. 33 percent say “yes”, while 14 percent say “don’t know”.

      The opposition should not, however, be an obstacle to a new debate. As a government party – where the party leader is also an outspoken EU supporter – the Labour Party should be aware of its responsibility. This is about what is important for Norway. It is a question of our national security.

      It is irresponsible to pretend otherwise.

      Our opinion is clear: We cannot stand alone. The EU has always been a peace project. Europe has been destroyed many times by war and conflicts between nation states. But over the past 80 years, cooperation has made our continent more peaceful.

      We need to cooperate more – and even more on defense than today. Now we need an informed exchange of words about what EU membership can mean for Norway, and what it will cost to stay outside.

      The US is threatening to take Greenland by military force. Several experts conclude that this will happen. Leaders of major European countries have signed a petition asking Donald Trump to stay away. Norway should have signed as well.

      And Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) should no longer hold back, even though he will certainly face resistance both internally and externally. We simply need a new debate on whether Norway should join the EU.

    3. Massimo25ore on

      When I find myself in times of trouble,

      Mother Europe comes to me

      Speaking words of wisdom, let EU be

      And in my hour of darkness

      she is standing right in front of me

      Speaking words of wisdom, let EU be

      Let EU be, let EU be, let EU be, let EU be

      Whisper words of wisdom, let EU be

      And when the broken hearted people

      living in the world agree

      There will be an answer, let EU be

      For though they may be parted,

      there is still a chance that they will see

      There will be an answer, let EU be

      Let EU be, let EU be, let EU be, let EU be

      There will be an answer, let EU be

    4. JumpingAround44 on

      Pssst… hey America, Norway has a TON of oil… just saying.

    5. lamin-ceesay on

      Ursula is to blame for making a bad trade deal with America last year and for not standing firm, as China did, when the US proposed the deal. Instead, the whole of Europe gladly accepts the shitty deals of Trump, and that emboldened him to say and do whatever he wants with the EU. Pedro Sanchez might have been a better leader from Europe to face Trump. Anyway, Europe needs new allies.

    6. VicenteOlisipo on

      Thankfully, Norway will never join. Unfortunately, it is only because Brussels spinelessness and oil money lobbying keep it with far too sweet a deal with the EU, where it has all the benefits and none of the drawbacks. It has access to the Single Market, but can subsidize its industries. Norwegian companies can buy European companies, but not the other way around. And the “price” it supposedly pays for this is to finance a “European” Fund which it then uses as a Foreign Affairs Propaganda tool.

      Anyway, even putting that aside, Norwegians who want to join the EU need to also understand that this isn’t solely a Norwegian decision anymore. The EU also doesn’t have any interest in allowing new anti-european members in to just come and veto everything that moves us forward, like the UK used to do and now Hungary does. Norway joining would need a big show of commitment (on both sides, admittedly) towards integration and harmonization.

    7. Upstairs-Mall-3695 on

      When in darkness (geopolitical uncertainty), Mother EU stands right in front of you. Whispering words of wisdom: let EU be (your full partner)

    8. NegativeDeparture on

      Yes, but i don’t think it’ll happen yet, in my experience people are still sceptical but are softening up.

    9. JuliusCaesar121 on

      This would be a horrible idea for Norway. They’d instantly become massive net contributors to the EU budget. Norwegians might be socialists but I dunno how hungry they are to send money to Hungary and Greece.

      I bet Brussels would have plenty of say about Norway’s oil & gas industry.

      Norway must have all kinds of subsidies for domestic industry that would become no bueno as well.

      What does Norway need from the EU that it doesn’t already get now? I can’t think of anything

    11. PowerOfUnoriginality on

      While I am personally a bit neutral on EU membership, I do think there is time for a discussion about it, see what my fellow country- men and women think about it

    12. NorthernSalt on

      This is such an uninformed take. 

      First of all, the pro EU people of Norway always say we need a new “EU debate” when EU membership has been thoroughly and continuously discussed and debated over the last 50 years. What they really mean is that we need a new conclusion, because that’s what they want. The debate is and will be ongoing, no need to ask for it.

      Second, the population simply doesn’t want us to join the EU and never have. Polls have the pro EU side at 30%, *lower* than ten years ago. On the other hand, the Norwegian population is very happy with the EEA.

      Third, NATO still exists even without the US, and unlike the EU, NATO has a functioning and agreed upon command structure, military logistics plan, etc. The defense argument simply isn’t sufficient to argue us joining when it comes at the cost of our agricultural sector, our fisheries (half of all European fishing!), and our currency, amongst other things.

      Fourth, and this is a bit unsympathetic but still true; Norway hosts the most energy and mineral resources of all friendly European countries, and also has one of the more critical geographical locations from a geopolitical perspective. Europe can’t afford to let Norway fall, regardless of membership status.

    14. StoicSunbro on

      As I said im the Iceland thread: The fisheries policy is one sided and needs to change.

      Northern nations lack long growing seasons and depend on fishing.

      Norway cannot drive tractors into the breadbaskets of Southern europe, but the CFP allows Southern commercial interests access to their vital food supply.

      Integrating Northern Europe has not gone well. Most nordic nations aren’t using the euro and the fisheries are a part of why Norway, Iceland, the UK, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands are not in the union.

      The EU shouldn’t make them choose between security and food security. With this solved, it seems better for all for them to be in the Union.

    15. Svan_Derh on

      I love Norway, I visited it twice. Great people, great nature.

      Please join us my friends.

    16. GunnerSince02 on

      They should join the EU. It needs more countries tweeting about “grave concerns”. 

    17. Darkone539 on

      There really isn’t. Norway is in no worse a position then the rest if Europe with current events. Being an eu member wouldn’t change anything.

      The article talks about defence, but that’s covered and the eu doesn’t even include the uk. We need a new framework for Europe on that.

    18. Handonmyballs_Barca on

      Will being an EU member offer much more in the way of protection for Norway or just involve them in more of the new great power competition without any new benefits? Generally EU responses to challenges havent been great. The most recent challenge is evidence of this, when Trump threatened a trade war the EU backed down almost immediatley.

      In regards to Norways resources. Yes it makes them a target but it also motivates friendly states such as Britain and the EU to invest in Norways defence. For example the Royal Marines send the Royal Marines to Norway for training and defence planning ever year.

      It seems like strengthening european alliances is in Norways interest but what does full EU membership offer the country?

    21. Born-Yoghurt-401 on

      My comment about Norwegians got me a 3 day ban from reddit so I‘ll just say this: The Danes are a trustworthy and honest ally that shares our values.

    22. wuddie89 on

      Does anyone think the EU will let a hostile power steamroll Norway and take it over just because theyre not a member? Goodbye norwegian electricity, goodbye oil, goodbye gas. And do you actually believe an EU membership would deter russia?

      We already have military protection via NATO. If the US pulls out, does NATO automatically fall apart between all the other countries too? I dont think so.

      Dont allow yourself to be scared into the hands of the EU, they are impotent against Russia anyways.

      And you cant replace the loss of a military union by joining a commerce/trading union.

      And when this whole thing turns out to be a big nothingburger Norway will be stuck with them. And the EU will milk it for everything its worth and push their bullshit bureaucracy on us.

    23. CurbYourThusiasm on

      Good luck with that. The Euro-sceptisism has only increased after the ferroalloys debacle.

    24. Matshelge on

      I don’t expect Norway to change, they are culturally isolationist. I moved away close to 20 years ago, but I am still shocked over the lack of international perspective the news from Norway has. Debates are never about what is good for someone, but if it’s good for Norway and how Norway is affected.

      The recent news about a trade barrier on Norway steel to EU was the most isolationist perspective I had ever read “why are they doing it to us” “it’s an attempt at pulling us into EU” “We don’t need EU, their harsh methods won’t work on us” – noone ever thinking about if EU did this for their own reason, trying to buff up their own iron industry, no it has to be about Norway.

    27. No-Bad7988 on

      It’s such a shame that it always comes to the usual protection of own fisheries vs the greater good of further cooperation in a hostile World. Making Europe stronger, at maybe the expense of less control over fisheries, is such a sad state of affairs IMO. Iceland, UK and Norway would make themselves and the rest of Europe much stronger in a multipolar World. You always have to make some sort of sacrifice to obtain something bigger, better.

      Willingness to sacrifice a little for the greater good is a problem within the EU too of course, I dream of one day when we all understand that a relatively small sacrifice of something could bring about a better future for many.

      I believe that Europe is the best Continent in the World, together it could set the example and shape the future as the US or China are not interested in doing so. To be really effective we need to be together, that’s why outside forces do all they can to keep European Countries apart. Let’s not give them a hand, let’s give ourselves a hand.

    28. NeoThorrus on

      “The answer is obvious.” Really? Joining NATO to defend against the threat of a NATO country that will need to approve its admission?

    29. ProductGuy48 on

      Would be fantastic to have Norway in the EU. It would also significantly reduce the arguments the Brits have in favour of not getting back in.

    30. ASZD_ on

      Completely pointless; what we should be doing is actually utilizing the current favourable deal to its fullest

    31. andrewgrabber on

      There should be a far more urgent discussion about what the EU leadership is doing to meet this geopolitical moment than there should be about Norway joining that mess

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