Why Norway refuses to join the European Union

Europe is sometimes confused with the European Union, but they are different. The European Union, created to promote integration, has only 27 member states because some European countries have decided to remain outside this organization. Such is the case of Norway, which despite having strong ties with most European countries never belonged to the European Union. However, Norway tried to join what was then called the European Economic Community in 1962 and 1967. But France vetoed the UK's application and, as a domino effect the applications of other countries with strong economic ties to the UK; Norway, Ireland and Denmark were suspended. In the next two attempts, membership of the European Community was put to a referendum and in both 1972 and 1994, the Norwegians voted against joining the European Union. Thirty years after the last referendum things have not changed much. Even three weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a poll was conducted asking Norwegians if they wanted their country to be a member of the European Union and 53% said no. So the question is: why do most Norwegians not want their country to be a member of the European Union?
Some sources of interest:
- Erik Engheim (2021). How Norway Got Rich Against All Odds Before Oil
/ how-norway-got-rich-ag...
- Isak Ladegaard (2012). Why Norwegians never wanted EU membership
www.sciencenorway.no/democrac...
- Nordic Labour Journal (2023). Norwegians still largely negative to EU membership
www.nordiclabourjournal.org/i-...
Music:
Whatdafunk by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: audionautix.com/
#economicsnation #norway

[@x-men69-96]

Norway is so rich and peaceful. Why join? They are so good by themselves. Their oil fund is the biggest fund in the world.

[@user-vv6gj8fq7n]

With.an american spybase realy!!!

[@Mostspecialusername]

Yeah, and the day the riches from oil stop, they will come with their tails between their legs asking for subsidies.

[@ab-ym3bf]

Strange phrasing of the title, I´ve seen another video with a similar misguided claim. Countries don´t get invited to join, nor have an obligation to join the EU, so Norway is not refusing anything. It chooses to not apply for membership.

[@buffalox8492]

It's actually a pretty good video about why Norway is not ion the EU. But the title is stupid, nobody is trying to persuade and certainly not force Norway into the EU against their will. I'm sure they would be very welcome if they wanted in, but they are 100% free to stay out for as long as they want, as is any other nation that is not a member. More than that ANY EU COUNTRY IS FREE TO LEAVE!!! As we've already seen with UK. EU is not at all like for instance USA, Russia and China.

[@auldfouter8661]

But they did apply at least twice to join and also then the people voted twice not to join. You can't say that's not a refusal !

[@ab-ym3bf]

@@auldfouter8661 that is not refusal. See, I did it.

[@auldfouter8661]

@@ab-ym3bf In what crazy world is voting no , NOT a refusal?

[@ab-ym3bf]

@@auldfouter8661 in any normal world where you to apply for membership. You refuse an offer. EU membership is not an offer. You seem to struggle with words and reality.

[@tvgerbil1984]

Norway participates in the European Single Market, pays contributions to some EU programs, has to follow some EU laws and has no voting rights on EU matters. This is like being an associate member instead of being a full member of a club. It benefits the EU too for having this associate member who contributes positively to the EU finance over the years.

[@JesperMilling]

Norway are not refusing, noone is pushing them. Most of the nothankyou voters live in Northern Norway, very får away from Brussel, it's that simpel. Norway adoption most if not all legislation coming from Brussel, and they exercise influence on EU through the Danes and the Swedes.

[@kcribin5654]

Norway, well done. Having been to Norway many many times over the decades, I find the are very honest clever respectful people. They have a beautiful country and culture. Long may the people of Norway protect such treasure.

[@cleopatra5682]

Hear hear!

[@achantus1]

The people of Norway want to stay outside, but the "elites" want to be in, and they don't really care about what the people want. There is more to life than economic concerns, but extremely materialistic people don't understand that.

[@Nidvard]

No idea to which "elites" you are referring to, but that doesn't matter as "elites" aren't in charge of anything anyway, so you got it the wrong way around; The Norwegian people don't care what the "elites" want.

[@guleiro]

Stop with the nonsense conspiracy theories. The majority of Norwegians supports their present status.

[@achantus1]

@@Nidvard Who are in charge if not the elites? Who are ever in charge of society if not an elite?

[@ahkkariq7406]

Exactly. And because the elites want in despite the people saying no twice, they continue to bow to everything that comes from the EU. The largest party in the Norwegian parliament, Stortinget, is the EU Party, which is not a party the people can vote for, but which the members of all the parties standing for election can become members of. No one who is not pro-EU will ever gain real power unless the people revolt.

[@dannywest7587]

Norwegians very smart!!!

[@huwgrossmith9555]

Good on them.

[@Doctor00X]

Unlike the US, Europe has a vast history and major differences in ethnicities that making it into a federation would be really bad. We don't want outsiders to dictate over the decisions of our own country. Moving to another country that their peoples' ancestors fought for isn't and shouldn't be a right.

[@bdcalling1391]

The EEA agreement grants Norway access to the EU's single market. From the 23,000 EU laws currently in force, the EEA has incorporated around 5,000 (in force) meaning that Norway is subject to roughly 21% of EU laws.

[@frankthetank5708]

There's not even one EU law, so how Norway needs to implement them. The EU cannot make laws at all...

[@johnmcmullan9741]

Norwegians don't have free access to the EU single market. Only Norwegian businesses do. The resellers mainly, who profiteer like heroin dealers and demand huge mark up prices for their imports into Norway. It's all a corrupt protectionist racket. Norwegians don't know the day they were born. Fooled on a daily basis by brazen con artistry and oblivious to how much better off they'd be as individuals and a nation in the EU.

[@Micha-qv5uf]

​@@frankthetank5708Beep, wrong answer. Go back to Google.

[@frankthetank5708]

@@Micha-qv5uf You don't like reality. There're only laws about the EU, but no laws made from the EU. It isn't a state and doesn't have a legislative government.

[@Micha-qv5uf]

@frankthetank5708 Lol it has in fact 2 legislative governments. You're the one who's not living in reality.

[@Novarsen]

You forgot to mention a pretty important possible cause of not joining the EU. Norway is part of different Nordic unions such as Nordic Council, Nordic Passport Union (which is basically a Nordic Schengen, before Schengen appeared) and Nordic Defense Cooperation Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland are part of it. So they have their own club there before EU.

[@deannilvalli6579]

Sweden, Denmark and Finland are the other members of said councils. And they are all in the EU. These organistions can co-exist. They are not competitors.

[@peterclareburt4594]

Yes the Nordics have their own club, and the UK has the Commonwealth and it also has the anglosphere. The UK has finally embarked on Churchill's pet project of the three circles. It now has a good connections to Europe, to the Commonwealth, and to the Anglosphere. This is a huge set of close networks, that has proven resilience over time. If one group is in trouble you have the other groups for balance.

[@deannilvalli6579]

@@peterclareburt4594 This is a fine example of false equivalence. The things you mention are in no way equal to the EU or EFTA. The "Anglosphere" is not even an organization- it is just the collective name for countries which speak English. They don't have any treaty or hold meetings. So it can in no way be compared to any actual organization. The Commonwealth is merely a symbolic club of former British colonies. Again, no trade agreement, no political cooperation, no defense agreement.... nothing. They play sports games and athletics every 4 years, that is about it. And many of them have recently left and are suing the UK for compensation. It is a club which is dissipating. The UK has absolutely nothing which compares to the EU or EFTA, and the last 7 years of trying have shown that no one is really interested in a trade agreement with them- the USA has refused it numerous times now, Japan has given a very poor agreement of leftovers from Canada and the EU, and Australia and NZ (both of which are very far away and have tiny GDPs anyway), have only signed one-sided agreements which heavily favor their own farmers and damage UK agriculture. The idea that any of what you mention somehow makes up for what was lost in leaving the EU is simply without merit or substance.

[@terrywebster9772]

Very educational. Thank you for your coverage.

[@dhfconst]

They are not in name only a non-EU member, they even pay as such.

[@centurione6489]

They refuse to join the EU because THEY ARE SMART!🤣

[@ReinholdWygas-sq1zm]

My words!

[@tommcmanamon8327]

Norway has no reason to join the EU. The UK , Germany, and France were net contributors (when the UK were in the EU). Ireland has been subsidised for decades. Norway would contribute billions of euros with no benefit at all.

[@jacekkubiak3551]

What benefits possibly they will gain joining EU? They can only loose...

[@rvo8915]

See the UK. Hear bussinesses what they have gained with the Brexit.

[@ItzLucky90]

@@rvo8915and Norway isn’t excluded from the European market, it has the best of both the EU and Sovereignty. If you have a better deal with the EU where you can do as you wish, why join an union where you have to sacrifice your sovereignty for a worse deal

[@rvo8915]

@@ItzLucky90 You think so? I still have to pay import taxes for every euro I import from the EU. No free exchange from goods. Import and export duties and the whole administration around it that cost the tax payer a lot of money each year. There is no bennefit of staying "apart"

[@ItzLucky90]

@@rvo8915 Norway has control over their own oil and fish, both seriously important parts to the Norwegian economy. EU membership would mean sharing the Norwegian Sea with the rest of the EU members. Plus we aren’t required to share our economy with poor EU members like Greece and Bulgaria. We have our own interests. And we have our own Nationality. We’re Norwegian first and European second. We also have bad history with unions

[@rvo8915]

@@ItzLucky90 You can’t stay in the past, the world is changing and a strong union is important. The world is moving away from oil and gas, and the NOK is devaluated with almost 50% in the past 16 years. My salary didn’t raise 50% as far as I know, but the past 16 years everything is much more expensive. 1 L diesel is more than 3x more expensive in the same time period in a country that produces his own oil….

[@Ufiles473]

Norway is very smart.

[@TJSaw]

Norway had foresight. Good for them.

[@sverre371]

I'm Norwegian, and when looking at the EU leadership, there should be a queue out and not into that corrupt cesspool of warmongerers and clowns. Our government would get along with the gang, but the people are smarter. Shengen and very close ties are far enough.

[@Micha-qv5uf]

Disgusting nonsense. 1. Corruption exists in every society. You just don't notice it in Norway much because you got lucky with oil and other natural resources. 2. The only warmonger sits in Moscow. Stay in your basement and be angry alone plz.

[@sverre371]

Did we get lucky? After finding all this we worked our asses off to make it ours, and we don't give it to unelected imbeciles. I don't know, but it seems to me that there is someone else who fired a lot more than Moskow in recent years, at least the last 50, so shut your 3rd-grade mouth.@@Micha-qv5uf

[@sverre371]

A market that is closing down, run by clowns, not much of a benefit if you ask me, it may be the opposite that is the truth, there are much bigger and better markets to be a part of than the EU.@@petertimmermans8425

[@jskok3280]

I agree with your assessment of the situation. Very well put.

[@ahkkariq7406]

As a Norwegian, I totally agree.

[@bellybutton6138]

Small, well managed by intelligent people, frugal and yet independent. Kudos to Norway. Do not get caught up by the unnecessary political debacles which put people at edge and inching closer to WW3.

[@jojje3000-1]

Norway is wise; do not join if you don’t concur. Joining and leaving is a disaster.

[@KMarik]

Norway is part of the Schengen Area and is a member of the European Free Trade Area which operates parallel with EU. Norway is part of the EU Free Trade Area.

[@sorennilsson9742]

No it is fish and oil that decides.

[@MsPoyee]

Also EU accepted too many migrants from third world countries. These people don’t assimilate.

[@justink1075]

God bless you Norway.Stay strong👌🖖❤️

[@pascalvergine1687]

Norway has no needs to join EU. They are very rich thanks to their oil and gas. Why should they share the benefits of something they already owned? Norway has now one of the largest sovereign fund. Their economy is diversify to renewable energies and energy storage while keeping fisheries…. . They only need to have access to the Schengen area to freely travel… in case of war they are protected by NATO…

[@AtleMyhre]

Now Norway has the same status in the EU as Puerto Rico has in the USA.

[@joarvatnaland6904]

Good point, but Luxembourg is also a very rich country in GDP terms, I think higher than Norway in GDP/person. Did they lose this when entering the EU?

[@pascalvergine1687]

No they did not!@@joarvatnaland6904 I would rather say the Luxembourg GDP per Capita boosted.... as they are a tax evasion and laundry state, a bit like Monaco, .... or even Netherlands or Ireland, where small size (in km²) countries, enjoys freely the infratsructures (roads, ...), or the services (kinder garden, schools, univ. for the kids of their employees, ...) of their neighbors. I do not see why Norway should be part of the EU mess. As a European, if I would have been Norvegian, I would have prefered my country stay away of the EU mess and unfair area for its citizen. However, Norway has a great interest EU will work the better, as compare to large blocks like China, India, USA, some Arab countries,.... and even Russia; Norway future is linked to the EU one, and then Norway should set some grease in the EU mechanics through energy contracts helping the Europeans.

[@asbisi]

Iceland has never joined either. I think the reason is that those two countries are particularly wealthy. If they had hard times, they would apply for membership. Notice that Switzerland never joined either - a PRETTY wealthy country too.

[@user-of7jy1kv4c]

most belong to the Schengen agreements. Being in the EU without being a member.

[@Finderskeepers.]

They are also all neutral countries even though Iceland is in Nato.All have the benefits of membership through Schengen at the expense of having a vote implying there are economic benefits but the citizens are not comfortable giving up sovereignty. I suspect that it has more to do with experience through history rather than wealth.

[@hakonl6047]

@@Finderskeepers. Switzerland is "neutral". Norway has been a NATO member since the alliance was established in 1949. But you are right in saying that history has a lot to do with it, Norway only being fully independent since 1905. The "wealth" argument is not valid at all. Only the Government I Norway is wealthy. Norwegian citizens are not wealthy at all. Purchase power has declined rapidly and is lower than in all neighbouring countries (which are EU members), and Norwegians has a world record in household debt relative to income.

[@Finderskeepers.]

@@hakonl6047 That makes sense. Credit to your government for managing its natural wealth so well, at least it gives options. Wealth is relative , quality of life is whats important.

[@doncarlodivargas5497]

If you where listening you had heard the main reason was/is fisheries, and we pay billions to Europe

[@samanthalansley7171]

What happened to EFTA ? U.K. was member and it was a trade partnership

[@bdcalling1391]

Norway contributes to the budget of the programmes it participates in, on equal footing with EU member states. For the period 2014-2020, Norway's average annual commitment is 447 million euros.

[@moetocafe]

in today's global economy perspective those are pennies literally

[@sindreherstad8739]

For things øike CERN and ESA, Norway puts in more per cappita than a lot of countries, and exstracts "less value" from the programs than a lot of countries too

[@kemberlyw.patterson]

Money is not meant to control people, rather it is meant to be put to work producing more money for you. You cannot build wealth without putting money in its rightful place.💸

[@Karen.s989]

Now with the recent economy, To get Financial FREEDOM you have to be making money while you're asleep.

[@georgec.wilkerson]

True though unfortunately mine always end up with losses 😭

[@juluviaarmstrong]

Anyone who wants to be successful in life must first have the mindset of the rich. Spend less and invest More. Don't give up on your dreams.

[@danielt.tremaine]

​@@juluviaarmstrongThat's wonderful every successful man or woman has a story on how he/she get to succeed.

[@marier.sherman]

ava Kimberly has changed my financial status for the best. All thanks to my aunty who introduced me to her

[@Bassa1952]

Norwegians are intelligent people.

[@rpersen]

No, a more brainwashed naive people you would be hard pressed to find.

[@user-tz8kp1vi9v]

Norway benefits from its hydrocarbon treasure, which provides its population with a high standard of living. Participating in the EU would require it to participate in helping the poorest European countries.

[@operator0]

The EU would love to get their hands on that revenue, and the vast trust money. I cannot think of a single good reason why Norway should join.

[@AtleMyhre]

@@operator0 There are so many reasons why Norway should join EU, how it's now is pure stupidity.

[@operator0]

@@AtleMyhre If there are so many, it should be easy for you to name one.

[@peterc.1618]

@@operator0 I was going to make a similar comment. The EU would decide that it would be illegal for any member state to hold more than a small amount in reserves. Don't forget that the EU is moving towards majority voting in everything so the individual states will no longer have a veto.

[@AtleMyhre]

@@operator0 Well, the most obvious reason is Norwegians get a right to vote on representatives to the European Parliament. Having an influence on decisions made in the EU that Norwegians anyway have to follow. Now Norwegian politicians have to call their Danish and Swedish colleges asking them to present the Norwegian view, just as before Norway became independent.

[@Tony11806]

Joining the European Union is the same as giving control of your home to your next door neighbours so your neighbours have the power to tell you what you can and cannot do in your own home and that's what happens when your country is a member of the EU.

[@hpvspeedmachine4183]

You must be a clever person 😂

[@Tony11806]

@@hpvspeedmachine4183 When your government joins the EU they basically hand over control of your country to people in another country who then can make laws for your country and its just like handing over control of your own home to your next door neighbours. Norway is doing the right thing by not joining the EU so they can control their own country and not be told what they can and cannot do by foreigners in other countries.

[@Prodrive1]

100% correct.

[@frankthetank5708]

​@@Tony11806 You're somewhat misinformed about the EU. First there's the rule of subsidiarity. Everything what is possible will be ruled in the lowest level manageable. Second there's the rule of unanimously. No minimum standard can be set, if not all states agree upon it. Third point is that the EU cannot make laws at all. There's no legislative body. It's up to the member states to make laws.

[@deangregoric4735]

@@Tony11806 you are stupid or just biased which one you chose? look that happened to uk when she left EU they literally became meme poland would never be in position they are now and my country slovenia wouldn't be as economically alive as it is so some basics research than shit on something you don't have clue about

[@mk-xg2kt]

they have more brains in Norway. so they understand that it is stupid to join the EU

[@alfonsasgrinevicius7477]

Norwegians are well-integrated in all EU activities.

[@mothermovementa]

ALL

[@wabalaladabdab]

That's kind of the problem... Both in cases of Norway and Switzerland, the EU gave away most of its advantages without requiring the state to join the EU itself. It's a strategic mistake. The EU should only give out its perks to members.

[@axoloneidolon4702]

Norway has access to the EU market without being obligated to compensate for the profits made using these privileges. The annual compensation fee payment is optional. They decide if they want to pay them or not for each country. It's not the first time when the EU shoots itself in the foot with such agreements.

[@Bubajumba]

@@wabalaladabdab EU needs Norway, and to say Norway isn't contributing is ridiculous. Half of europe would freeze to death without norway. The amount of electricity, oil and gas norway provide is essential. Not only that but they have donated half a billion euro to eu in the last 10 years. Find another country of 5 million who have contributed as much

[@bardwessel4663]

As Norwegian, I'd like to respond that I find this contribution surprisingly well standing among others not either involving interviews, as even if the well chosen cuts are not much representing our problems related to industries, the otherwise modest nature presented what financial dispisitions concerns are both deserved and well explained amongst the examples that should stand well above others. Thanks!

[@johnmcmullan9741]

LOL!

[@MrRocking4ever]

Norway is a rich country and can you imagine what happens when they should become a member of the EU ... look at the money transfers from rich countries to the poor countries - they need billions to pay the expansion of the EU and the only result is the destruction of Europe

[@guleiro]

Norway already pays for the EU budget and any amount that they may pay will be peanuts compared with the benefits of having access to EU markets.

[@anthonyburke5656]

I can’t figure out why any European country would join the EU, it’s rapidly becoming a bureaucratic nightmare

[@Eduard.Popa.]

There is a long list of benefits you overlook only to see a little bureaucracy.

[@miroperinich2495]

The European Union should exist from a global perspective, otherwise the countries of Europe become irrelevant.

[@helgealm8069]

Agree! EU wil vanish in some years. Britain was first. France will be next. Germany will refuse to the end since Germany has great benefits of EU. Germany founded EU...why? It is all about getting control.

[@Stand663]

@@Eduard.Popa.. There is no benefits.

[@Eduard.Popa.]

@@Stand663 watch United States of America why is so powerful and rich. Because never they won't stay divided or want to make Texas exit or California exit. And the benefits are huge. European Union is fantastic and give a lot of benefits for all European members. European countries separated won't stand a chance against (economic or military) China, Russia, USA.

[@juanmartin1729]

because they don't want to end up being poor like eastern europe.

[@FernandoPerez3h.]

true

[@joarvatnaland6904]

The EU has been instrumental in helping eastern Europe catch up, and for instance Poland and Romania are on track to pass the UK in economy. The new economic motor in Europe is in the east, much thanks to EU.

[@Farhankhan_the1]

Funny how norway participate in all EU agencies.

[@ahkkariq7406]

It is not the will of the people, but corrupt politicians who go against the people. The only thing keeping the people from taking parliament with pitchforks is that we have enough money. The western world is waking up, so it is probably only a matter of time before the traitors are thrown out of politics.

[@thomasstahl6114]

Clever they are!

[@khankrum1]

I am from Grimsby and I g began working on Grimsby Fish Docks when i was 16 years old, It was a vibrant . dustling place that employed many thousands of people bot on the docks and the Food processing plants that depended upon it! Findus, Ross, Birds Eye where among the most advanced Frozen Food processors on the planet! Until the UK joined the EEC, which later became the unelected EU! The Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, Forced the industry to reduce its capacity and allowed European fishermen to " pillage" British Fishing grounds. The fleets were disbanded and scrappepped and the great food processing plants closed down throwing the worker's, mainly women who relied upon the income to support their families, out of work! Last November I returned to Grimsby to see my family, I am retired and now live in Bulgaria, and I was totally shocked at what I saw, Grimsby resembles a Third World country! Unemployed and homeless rough sleepers on the streets, Drug addicts everywhere, depression and decay. The once vibrant town centre looked more like " Downtown Beirut"! that the beloved town of my birth, THIS IS THE EU IN ACTION! Norway made the right decision in remaining free from the tyranny of the EU!

[@antonpasternak-gw4dk]

Norway is very, very smart. Good for them. To stay free from NATO.❤❤❤👋Good luck!👍

[@Beachgirl1]

Ummm…Norway is in NATO. Although, that is a mistake.

[@Nidvard]

Norway started NATO, for good reasons.

[@deannilvalli6579]

Yeah, Norway refuses it so much that it complies with every single EU directive , and makes a point to be as close as possible to the EU in policy as it can. They voted against joining in order to protect their fishing industry, which is essential to a nation that relies so heavily on fishing- it cannot compete as a small nation of 5 million. So it is for very practical reasons, as this video correctly points out. But "Only 27 countries" is pretty ridiculous- the majority of European countries are either EU members or are applying to be EU members. So there is also disinformation present here.

[@frankjost2701]

Norway is integrated into the EU common market. They tremendously benefit from that. So does the EU. As a Member State of the European Economic Area, Norway cannot have bilateral trade agreements with other EEA Members, but relies on the EEA Agreement for that. Norway and EU ciitzens benefit from the freedom of movement in the EER, NO is a Member of the Schengen Area and it contributes and benefits from a number of EU financing programmes. NO, better than some EU governments apply treaty obligations, though in some way NO is a rule taker not a rule maker. That is not a loss of independence, but rather a prerequisite of independence, welfare and civil liberties. The vast majority of people in some Gulf states enjoy none of those, though their per capita oil and gas revenues are also very high.

[@jameslewis1605]

Norway can poison its fish on its own without others telling them how to do it. But they do like to sell it to the EU.

[@olbiomoiros]

Honestly, Norway is the most successful country in the world.

[@rpersen]

Not true, and I live in Norway. The state is rich but people are poor.

[@Nidvard]

@@rpersen If you think the people are poor you don't have anything to compare with. Go travel the world and see if you still stay with that opinion.

[@Vanillatastic]

Why did Denmark Sink under the sea on the Thumbnail?

[@ShadyNightSky]

Norway would loose a lot by joining eu

[@hishamelkholy9614]

Absolutely 👍

[@ScottiAngelWing]

Why? Because the Norwegians are naturally intelligent.

[@Nidvard]

Naturally? No. But we have had a large focus on education, both in its availability and quality.

[@rvo8915]

Nobody seems to see that the Norwegian Kroner de-valuated almost 50% to the Euro in the past 16 years. How long can Norway cope with that? The ignorance of all the plus points nobody wants to see if you join the EU, especialy now Europe is turning away from oil and gas............. See how the UK is doing, their fisherman were the biggest group in favor of leaving the EU, and now it is the biggest group that they wish they never had voted in favor. Operating in a union is always the best option. Now Norway pays in average 450 million Euro's to the EU to access the EU single market and have to apply to the EU rules without having a voice in that.

[@annakisfaludinebaan]

Because he's not crazy!

[@untermench3502]

Unlike many eastern european countries, Norway sees no economic or soocial advantage to joining the EU.

[@deannilvalli6579]

Ireland is in western Europe. They have seen a massive benefit to the EU, and are now much richer than their eastern neighbor, the UK as a result.

[@viktoriafaht9734]

Smart decision of Norway to say "no" to EU member and to keep doors open to join BRICS group due to oil.😇💯Greetings from 🇸🇪

[@Micha-qv5uf]

Lol BRICS would be a massive downgrade. Only poor and delusional countries want to join this nonsense.

[@kinggeorgethefifth7542]

We’re never joining BRICS lmao

[@deannilvalli6579]

They did not say no to the EU. They were never asked to join, and they never applied. No one is obliged to join, they do so if they want to. That is how the EU works- it is purely voluntary. There is no chance of Norway joining Brics, for more reasons than can be listed in the space here. To start with, Norway is a Western power, not a rogue state.

[@Nidvard]

We aren't joining anything, but i can promise you that if we had to choose, we would choose EU ahead of BRICS without any shred of doubt

[@viktoriafaht9734]

@@Nidvard‼️ If EU, then without Stoltenberg and without von der leyen, otherwise it would be wrong decision by Norway as oil core producer country. Von der Leyen is focused on to pump out money from EU countries, nothing else, because she needs to pay her "snowmen, snowwomen" according to her established snowball system that is strictly forbidden in Germany. Please consider this fact in Norway's decision. BRICS = Oil producers.‼️😇💯

[@Luredreier]

To everyone essentially saying that we're following all the EU laws anyway, there *is* a difference. Legally *we* have the final day and we *can* veto EU laws. The issue here isn't following the same rules as the EU. We've been a costal nation for a long time and we're used to finding shared solutions with others to our problems. To cooperation. It's also needed *within* our nation. We don't mind cooperating with others. But being a EU member is like joining a federation, the power goes from the top down, while staying a non-member we're essentially in a *confederation* with the EU, in the sense that we *choose* what EU laws to follow or not. Having that choice matters, even if it's not being used much. It's more democratic. It's ok impossible to have a well functioning democracy once you get a large number of people in said democracy. You just *can't* represent everyone in a large amount of people without making the number of representatives so large that you can't get anything done. And in case anyone is wondering, the US, India and the EU are all examples of there being too much people and the democracy suffers as a result.

[@jskok3280]

Well said.😊

[@petes5041]

Good!

[@ayazabdulla7490]

Good👍

[@JaneSoole]

De Gaulle vetoed Britain's application to join the EEC. Flipping cheek I remember thinking! Britain hosted him all during WW2 and a lot more besides.

[@geogeo1261]

Let's put it simple. The Norwegian government cares about their citizens and they are not corrupted as it happens with the majority of the west governments..

[@Nidvard]

I'll make it even simpler for you, the government aren't in charge. They are there to mediate the will of the people. The people are in charge. Corruption is harder to come by if the politicians down't have any individual power.

[@johnaweiss]

6:30 Why didn't you include the USA in this chart of gov't surplus?

[@KarelBeelaertsvanBlokland]

Holland with Denmark and Sweden should leave the EU and join with the UK and Norway into a Nordic Bloc only then to negotiate favourable trade deals with the EU without the bureaucrat business-killing laws of her!

[@leannan070]

They will not, and rightly so.

[@guleiro]

Vade retro Satana... Who would be fool enough to join the UK in such type of organisation?...

[@Valhalla88888]

England is not a Nordic country but Scotland might be considered a Nord country with the same latitude as Sweden, Norway❤

[@luffirton]

A strong and effective Nordic Block, that could have achieved good open trade deals with EU. It’s sadly never going to happen the countries have been in the EU and assimilated into its realm.

[@KarelBeelaertsvanBlokland]

@@luffirton The Time will come.... The EU will overstretch her powers and become so dictatorial that freedom lovers will leave!

[@tomostrom4320]

you forgot shipbuilding...

[@geoffwright9570]

Looks like the Norwegian government is acting in the very best interests towards the Norwegian population. Shame the uk government doesn't do the same.

[@Nidvard]

Norwegian government just mediates the will of the people, they have no power them self. So you mean to say that the Norwegian population acts in the best interest of the Norwegian population, and this also points out the major difference.

[@NikolausFedermann-im5nf]

Because they know it does not last for a long time!

[@ruzicas.5819]

Not really good video. Norway is a part of the EU single market, most important and crucial part of EU. So Norway can have a luxury to not be a part of EU, but they are part of EEA, European Economic Area. So econommicaly they are part of EU. You only talk about how they are not in EU, and not how they practically are in EU.

[@Ulyssestnt]

Best of both worlds baby..

[@stephenchappell7512]

​@@Ulyssestnt Yes Funnily enough the UK rejected the EU by the same 48/52 margin

[@theusername000000000]

There are literally no benefits to joining the EU that cannot be achieved outside of it.

[@peroleable]

The guy you can see on the picture together with the prime minister signed a agreement behind our back named EØS witch made us almost full members to the EU but without the right to vote in the EU parliament.

[@armindapereira4433]

They don’t want until they need protection!

[@rasenche4562]

Good to hear their leadership listend to their votes.. unlike in the netherlands where after voting 2s against somethingrelated to the union. And our government ignored the referendum's an even removed referendum's for a while

[@patrickcook6130]

What a sensible country, if only the people in the UK were as sensible.

[@davidbowen6253]

It had more sense, it was a close run thing. This country adhered to Social Democracy not the so called Liberal Democracy. Now they are now one of the wealthest country in the world

[@stephenchappell7512]

Indeed Funnily enough both the UK and Norway rejected the EU by the same 48/52 margin

[@Panzeresq]

Norwegian here. It is remarkable that this video does not mention at all that Norway is a part of EUs internal market and subject to the free movement of people, goods, services and capital, with an exemption for fisheries and agriculture. Only a markedly biased commentary would fail to mention this. I assume this video is sponsorded by the Tories in order to mislead their own people, who unike Norway, is no lenger a part of the internal market

[@gt-fd8wc]

The channel is based in Colombia, the narrator has an American accent. Most Tory MPs are pro EU, many of the public are not however. Sponsored I very much doubt it!

[@Jens_Heika]

2:29 Denmark-Norway, it was a real union, Norway wasn't just a part of Denmark, although Denmark was undeniably the more influential partner.

[@jimlowis1878]

Looks like Norway is the only European country with any common sense.

[@kasiaa8897]

They are totally right.

[@brianbassett4379]

Because they don't want to have to help pay for other countries that either can't or won't sacrifice to pay for their own defense and financial mismanagement.

[@PuffTMagicDragon]

Norway was one of the worlds biggest lumber exporters before the oil, taking advantage of the long coastline and ease of shipping. So you are factually wrong about the pre-oil prosperity.

[@scottlewington8439]

Becoming a bureaucratic nightmare?

[@robertthomas3777]

Smart people Norwegians. 🦘🇦🇺👍

[@colinrogers2214]

WHY, THE MAN HAS A BRAINS

[@hansweissmann_xviii6754]

Because Norway is rich......

[@rpersen]

Norway has implemented allmost all EU-directives, and is in that regard «more catholic than the pope». The EØS-aggrement is a disaster for ordinary people, who now has to pay ten times more for electricity than we paid in 2018.

[@jeffreyadams648]

They’re much too rich. And sensible.

[@Prodrive1]

I wish Ireland was OUT of the EU. It has destroyed our culture, identity, security, fishing industry, farming, Sovereignty etc.

[@henryjackson6677]

This video fails to mention that Norway is a member of the EEA and has access to the EU’s single market, for which they contribute to the EU budget. When the oil runs out or is phased out, they may think again about joining.

[@paulm2467]

Never heard of the sovereign fund? It’s an incredibly wealthy country that will never need financial support from the EU, if it joined that financial freedom would be destroyed and it would have to support and subsidise less competent countries.

[@helgealm8069]

Norway will never be an member of EU. The parlament wants but the people (the voters) have been asked twice, in 1972 and in 1994 - both times the NO-side won. I 2023 there has been some debate about a med peoplevote, but this will never happen since the people in Norway can see what EU are doing about their energy for instance. In fact, there is a silent riot in Norway about what the parlament/goverment are doing since they do the opposit of their voters. When the goverment stop listening to their voters, there will be a change. This will happen in 2025 and will increase. Hopefully we can stop the EØS-agreement and instead having a trade agreement. In Norway we must take national control to our own energy and resources. We can still sell gas to EU who has done a huge fault stopping producing nuclear energy.

[@ShadowTani]

The oil money doesn't go directly into the Norwegian state budget anyway, it goes into the oil fund, and a small portion of that funds revenue goes into the state budget. And that fund and its revenue will not disappear when the oil gets phased out. One can say that Norway is a stock market nation at this point more so than an oil nation, lol. The Norwegian fishing industry is also quite major, contributing only a few percent less than the oil fund to the state budget, so it's not like the economy is entirely monotone. And Norways hydrobased energy also have a lot of future potential. Aside from the dams having major use as "batteries" for renewable energies like wind and solar it may also support future electrolysis production of green hydrogen. You see, there are many energy intensive industries that cannot rely on the public power grid and thus require gas, and this will not change anytime soon - they will need an alternative if oil and gas gets phased out - and Norways hydropower have the potential to be scaled up to provide that alternative.

[@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531]

No... They see better options with other nations...Russia-

[@ShadowTani]

@@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531 That statement was quite the shot in the dark if I've ever seen one, lol. Just because someone wants to retain a degree of independence from one side does not mean they seek to align themselves more with another side. EU will remain an important market for Norway, EEA is in itself a commitment towards that market. And they are highly opposed to Russian barbarism, so no... Russia is and will not be on the table as a major trade partner. Aside from being a NATO founding member, Norway pulled all investments out of Russia when Putler went full on bully mode, and is also the nation that have provided the most aid to Ukraine relative to GDP and capita. It will take a long time for relations to normalize, and when considering that Russia have previously not been a significant market for Norway their need to align themselves with Russia is near non-existent to begin with. Russian idea that nations sharing a border with them must bend over to them have been their diplomatic hubris for a long time, but if they hope to be given another chance in the future then they must learn to humble themselves like Germany. Nobody in Europe , including Norway, is going to trust them again otherwise.

[@Alex-mp1zb]

"Why Norway refuses to join the European Union"... Because they're wise and better off out of it!

[@herrdirektor1969]

They are good integrated with most EU countries and a very competent Nato member. They are better off this way.

[@Maral31]

They are smart people and decide by themselves. They don’t want the shit from Sweden and Finland 😂

[@OMG.Itss_Grandma]

Norway's people have got Common Sense

[@bdcalling1391]

EU-Norway agreements Among other stocks, the EU will receive 9,983 tonnes of Arctic cod for 2024, while it will transfer 48,000 tonnes of blue whiting to Norway. The EU will have access to catch up to 15,107 tonnes of Atlanto-Scandian herring in Norwegian waters.8 Dec 2023

[@wabalaladabdab]

They will come around...

[@stevens1041]

Good work, Norway.

[@theowieser4531]

Norway knows the plan of the EU and that is the reason why they are not joining !

[@pedrorodriguez2914]

I can see Norway is ruled by its people,the way it should be;Sadly we are losing it in America.😎🐊🌴

[@moniershebeika3610]

...it would only be paying...!

[@fb7876]

"0:03 / 0:15 Why Norway refuses to join the European Union" - how about "... because they're not stupid"?

[@eliotness4029]

they are too rich. too too rich

[@KvaGram]

Norwegian here. We are getting some tastes of what EU membership can offer. And I for one do not like it. Right now we, the people, are suffering electricity bills three or four times normal rates (with frequent peaks of 10 to 20 times greater), even for the vinter, due to a recent agreement with the EU. Joining the EU will just introduce more of that kind of BS. I like the idea of uniting all of Europe into one political entity, but the current EU model is incompatible with Norwegian values and current living standards.

[@katynewt]

And yet the UK gets so much stick for leaving... For proof, see some of the comments below.

[@georgekoroneos3892]

Well... Norway first of all is a rich country but as a whole the people are superior in the way that can think first what think is good for their country of how to improved the different social/economic problems , the appoint government is serious and carry out the policy of what is the right think to do in each situation for example Norway it's not part of European union and for many reasons for example the fishing industry won't functioning well if permitted all of the others fishing on the sea sectors ,knowing that would cause economic problems and that only is a small example so their government is serious and calculated the situation .

[@costilla1212]

All that joining the EU would do is have Norways borders opened up to the 3rd world

[@terryj50]

Because they are not mad

[@sandrahaywood3367]

BECAUSE NORWAY HAS GOOD SENSE*******