NATO is Norway’s security, not the EU

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Outside the EU, Norway has an independent voice in international forums such as the UN and WTO (World Trade Organisation)own currency and essentially sovereignty over the management of our natural resources.

We do not have full sovereignty because the EEA agreement means that we – for example – cannot limit electricity exports in order to reduce price contagion from Europe. This is one of the problematic aspects of the waivers of sovereignty through the EEA Agreement.

Aftenposten’s leader on 13 April sums up what Norway cooperates with the EU on through the EEA agreement, through other agreements and what EU membership entails.

Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, the EU and Norway have all adopted sanctions against Russia. It is not something peculiar to the EU.

Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, has warned against the defense ambitions in the EU. It can weaken the most important defense structures we have.

As much as 80 per cent of the NATO countries’ defense expenditure is covered by countries that are not EU members. NATO is Norway’s security, not the EU. The Center Party is for international cooperation on the basis of Norwegian sovereignty, not at its expense.

That is why we want an alternative to the current EEA agreement.

Anne Beathe Twine strap

Minister of Development, Center Party