Norway, which has twice rejected joining the European Union, is likely to remain outside the bloc for the foreseeable future, a former Norwegian premier said in remarks carried on Friday.
The 27-nation bloc is on Sunday due to celebrate its 50th anniversary at a summit in Berlin.
In referendums staged 1972 and 1994, Norwegians voted against EU membership and a new application would ”likely split any government coalition if it is raised”, former Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik told Norwegian news agency NTB.
The former Christian Democrat leader was prime minister from 1997 to 2000 and 2001 to 2005. He left politics after losing the general elections in 2005.
Bondevik said he doubted the current red-green alliance headed by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg would apply for membership since that would split the coalition.
EU membership could possibly be touched on during the next Norwegian parliamentary campaign, but remains a divisive issue, said Bondevik, who is an EU sceptic but has backed the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement.
The EEA agreement offers members of the European Free Trade Association access to the EU internal market, which has been good for Norwegian business, he said.
The proposed EU constitution would likely be a stumbling block for Norway, Bondevik said, adding Norway would favour a looser grouping.
Bondevik said the EU’s accomplishments include its enlargement from six to 27 member states as well as its environmental policies.
One advantage of not being a member of the EU is more freedom to act in foreign policy affairs, Bondevik said, noting the time it takes to coordinate joint positions. — Sapa-dpa