NORWAY'S EMBRACING THE EU

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 001814 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD EU MARR MOPS NO PREL SUBJECT: NORWAY'S EMBRACING THE EU ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In several separate conversations with Emboffs, Norwegian diplomats posted to and visiting Brussels have described extensive Norwegian integration into EU structures as a status quo most Norwegians are comfortable with and unlikely to want to change in the near future. The close ties include the posting of 65 Norwegians in European Commission directorates general, the adherence by Norway to a range of EU standards, and regular consideration of Norway's positions in the development of EU policies. The lines are drawn around management of Norway's gas and oil reserves and fisheries, but the integration extends to a Norwegian agreement with the EU on participation in two European security battle groups, with a potential for Norwegian deployment on European military missions. The Norwegian diplomats tell us that there is no public support for actual membership, and that the status quo provides Norway with many benefits and few negatives. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Norway's close ties to the EU are evident in the presence of Norwegian diplomats in Brussels, not just in Norway's Permanent Representation (which occupies a large building--currently under renovation--immediately adjacent to the European Commission) but in the number of Norwegian bureaucrats working in the Commission as part of agreements signed between Norway and the EU in the wake of the vote against EU membership in the 1994 referendum. Our Norwegian colleagues have provided some insight into the extent of Norway's integration into the EU. According to one diplomat, under various instruments, including membership in the European Economic Area, the Schengen Agreement, and several more, Norway must adhere to a number of EU regulatory requirements, especially in economic areas, even though it has no vote on the creation of these rules. However, it draws fine lines to protect its key interests. For example, Norway does not participate in policy on the management of fisheries, but does adhere to regulations dealing with the export of fish and fish products. There is a similar line between agricultural policies and the treatment of agricultural export products. Norway participates on standards related to energy use, but not to management of natural resources, which would touch its gas and oil resources. ¶3. (SBU) As part of the agreements, Norway pays for 65 Norwegian officials who work alongside EU colleagues in nearly every European Commission department--with the notable exception of External Relations (RELEX) and Competition--areas which both sides see as inappropriate. Norway contributes some 240 million euro annually to the EU budget, but receives no distributions. ¶4. (SBU) Norway has also signed an agreement with the European Defense Agency (EDA) as a way to effect closer cooperation with the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). The Norwegian diplomat, expressing the frustration we share over roadblocks to NATO-ESDP cooperation, said Norway has agreed to provide troops to two EU battlegroups. While no Norwegian troops have yet participated directly in European missions, the door is open to direct Norwegian contributions to such mission. (The diplomat at the same time reaffirmed Norway's commitment to NATO and pointed out its robust contribution to the NATO Afghanistan mission.) ¶5. (SBU) We have been impressed by Norway's interest in the EU's Rule of Law Mission to Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo). At recent meetings at the EULEX Committee of Contributors (attended by EU member states and others, including us, who contribute to EULEX),Norwegian Representative to the EU Oda Sletnes has regularly provided the most thoughtful, studied, and detailed remarks on EULEX of any delegation present. Also, on the EU-NATO security architecture front, the Norwegian Mission in Brussels has been collaborating with its Finnish counterpart, and more broadly with the other Scandinavian missions, on a study of NATO-EU relations. The latest revision of their paper that we have seen runs strongly in the direction of enhanced EU-NATO cooperation across many consultative and operational activities. ¶6. (SBU) One recent area of concern for Norway, according to the diplomat, has been over the ability of EU citizens to freely travel to Norway, which some see as having led to an increase in public begging, especially by Roma from Romania. During a recent briefing for select non-EU countries on the proposed Eastern Partnership (septel),the Norwegian representative pointed out that Norway would have a direct interest in proposals to seek visa free travel to the EU by Eastern Partnership citizens, and expressed hope that the EU would consult Norway on such plans. BRUSSELS 00001814 002 OF 002 ¶7. (SBU) Our diplomatic colleagues see no chance that Norway will seek membership in the EU again in the near future. Several diplomats provided us nearly identical assessments on separate occasions. A visiting MFA official said that even though Norwegians must live by rules they cannot vote on, and contribute to the EU budget without receiving distributions, most Norwegians think the deal is not a bad one. Furthermore, many Norwegians remain jealous of Norway's sovereignty. Anything with the name "union" reminds them of Norway's historic subordination to Sweden prior to independence. The DCM at the Norwegian Permanent Representation expressed similar sentiments. He noted that, while many Norwegian diplomats themselves might support the idea of membership, the Norwegian people are far more inclined toward self-reliance and do not want to cede sovereignty to a collective entity based somewhere else. Nonetheless, it appears Norway will continue to work toward closer relations, even without membership. .