Norway and the EEA- agreement

The Progress Party doesn’t want to challenge the EEA-agreement, but we believe it could be useful to investigate alternative options, says Karin Ståhl Woldseth, who represents the Progress Party in the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

Last week, a government appointed committee presented its investigation of the EEA- agreement and the consequences of the agreement for Norway.

“I am grateful for the investigation. It contributes to increased information and knowledge about the EEA- agreement and Norway’s relationship with the EU”, says Woldseth.

“However, knowledge is important and I am curious as to why the committee didn’t investigate alternatives to the EEA agreement to secure Norwegian trade with Europe”, says Woldseth.

“Being a member of the EEA- agreement doesn’t necessarily mean Norway should implement all directives without asking any questions. Many of the directives should have been more thoroughly discussed in Parliament and we should to a greater degree use the EFTA courts when disagreements occur”, says Woldseth.