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Norwegian Prime Minister: EEA agreement is more important than ever

by AI | 31.Jan 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Conflict over the implementation of directives regarding the EU’s energy package has blown up the Norwegian two-party government.

It's about security when the Labour Party wants to introduce EU directives in the energy sector, says the Prime Minister. Photo: Thomas Warnack/dpa

Norway cannot say no to all EU directives in the EU energy package without creating doubts about the credibility of the EEA agreement.

And it is at a time when it is “more important than ever”.

This is the statement from Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre from the Labor Party at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

The press conference follows the departure of the Center Party from the government due to dissatisfaction with the Labor Party’s EU line.

According to the Norwegian public service media NRK, the dispute is about the Labor Party wanting to implement three directives from the EU energy package, but the Center Party is not willing to agree. The party fears that the entire energy package will subsequently be implemented.

– The Labor Party believes that we should proceed with closer ties to the EU’s energy market. My conclusion is that the Center Party does not agree, said Center Party leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum at a press conference earlier in the day according to the media.

During the Prime Minister’s press conference, Jonas Gahr Støre emphasizes that Norwegian involvement in the directives is not about “electricity prices or surrendering power to anyone including the EU”.

– It is about protecting ourselves and ensuring that we are not subject to, for example, a trade conflict and tariff war between Europe and the USA, he says.

Earlier in the day, the Center Party made it clear that despite the government’s statement, they “find it natural” that Jonas Gahr Støre continues as Prime Minister.

According to NRK, it may take several days – perhaps a week – before the new government is in place.