NORWAY AND EU MEMBERSHIP

Motion Text

That this House notes the latest Sentio-Norstat opinion poll in Norway which shows that 10 years after the Norwegian vote not to join the European Union 48.5 per cent. of Norwegians are now in favour of EU membership compared to 40.2 per cent. who are opposed; further notes that 60 per cent. now predict Norway will join the EU by 2014; concurs with the head of the Norwegian EU delegation that it is becoming increasingly difficult to advance the interests of countries like Norway who are in the European Economic Area but remain outside the EU; repudiates the arguments of those who want the UK to renegotiate its relationship with the EU along Norwegian lines; and believes that such a move towards associate membership would consign the UK to the sidelines of Europe, affected by EU decisions but having no say over them.