This question is asked more and more often. No wonder, because it is a large and important country where you can easily find employment. It was as if we had gone to a member of the European Community. However, the answer may come as a surprise to some!
The answer to this question is basically simple, namely it is not a member of the European Union. However, Norway's relations with this organization remain closely correlated. Suffice it to mention that 90% of goods imported to the territory of the Kingdom come from countries belonging to the EU. The fact that Norway is not a member of the Community also does not mean that it has no formal relationship with this organization.
Norway's ties with the European Union
Norway has close formal ties with European Union. It also belongs to, among others, the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area (except Bear Island and Spitsbergen). In practice, this brings many benefits. Membership in the EEA facilitates the exchange of goods with other EU countries. Our presence in the Schengen Area is also of great importance to citizens - thanks to this Norwegians can travel around Europe without passports. All you need is an ID card to cross any border.
NO. Why?
There are several reasons why the answer to the question "Is Norway in the European Union" is a firm "no!". This country applied for membership in the Community twice, in 1974 and in 1994. These applications have proved ineffective and the main reasons are basically the following two:
- the need to subject the country's natural resources to fish, oil and natural gas under Community control,
- Norway has high GDP and would therefore have to pay high membership fees.
Read our next article: Will Norway be a member of the EU?
Which organizations does Norway belong to?
Norway is a member of the following international organizations: Asian Development Bank, and the European Space Agency, moreover the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, additionally the European Free Trade Association, and other organizations and agencies that we mention:
The International Atomic Energy Agency,
International Labor Organization,
There is also the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development,
and the International Monetary Fund,
The International Criminal Court,
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
additionally the United Nations,
and of course the North Atlantic Pact Organization,
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development,
The Council of Europe,
Nordic Council,
and the World Trade Organization.
Definitely not! However, it remains a member of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area (including Spitsbergen and the Bear Island). This brings many benefits to both entrepreneurs and citizens. It is also one of other international organizations, including the most important one. The Council of Europe, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations and the North Atlantic Pact Organization.
