Iceland’s EU Application Has Impact in Norway

Iceland’s application for membership to the European Union will without a doubt have an impact in Norway and give the right-wing parties a reason to discuss the EU again, according to Norwegian journalist Ingrid Skjoetskift, who specializes in EU matters.

Norway has twice applied for membership to the EU and on both occasions the membership agreement was rejected in referendums.

Skjoetskift, who writes for Norwegian newspapers Adresseavisen, Bergens Tidene and Stavanger Aftenblad, believes that Iceland’s application alone won’t change much about the attitude of Norwegians towards the EU.

However, once Iceland’s membership agreement is on the table, it might change the debate in Norway, especially the part that concerns the fishing industry.

What lies ahead might change the attitude of many Norwegians and draw attention to the fact that Norway might end up as the only Nordic nation outside the European Union. With Iceland’s admission, Norway would also be the only Nordic nation left in the EEA cooperation.