Since the European Union became engaged in Arctic affairs, its relationship with Norway – as its immediate northern neighbor – can be characterized as paradoxical. Although both Norway (as a state) and North Norway (as a region) have worked to get the EU involved in Arctic issues, both levels have been skeptical of the steps taken by the EU, since the European Commission’s first Communication on Arctic issues back in 2008. Norway’s relationship with the EU can generally be characterized as not ‘in’, but neither really ‘out’. Although Norway is not an EU member state, it is politically and economically closely connected to the Union via a broad range of agreements and other forms of cooperation. And yet, in Norway, the EU is often portrayed as something far removed from its political processes, separated in the domain of foreign policy. Hence, are Norway and the EU partners or rivals?
Andreas Raspotnik and Andreas Østhagen will discuss Norway’s relationship with the European Union in a Policy Hub, organized by the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for External Policies.
Policy Hubs are forums for dialogue and debate between EP internal experts and the external think tank community. The discussions focus on topical issues on the agenda of Parliament’s political bodies. To facilitate broad participation and to encourage open exchanges, the meetings are short and informal (under the Chatham House Rule). Policy Hubs are open to all staff working on the subject, the external think tank community, staff from the political groups and assistants.