Aspekti Publìčnogo Upravlìnnâ (Mar 2017)
Features of Norwegian model of the integration with the EU: experience for Ukraine
Abstract
The integration relations between Norway and EU have been studied in the article. The core of the Norwegian model of participation in the European integration process is the integration without co-determination. Norway is simultaneously both outside and inside the EU. The country is not a member of the EU and it does not participate in any decision-making and policy-making process in the EU and it is also excluded from important aspects of the cooperation, such as Economic and Monetary Union and Common external and security policy. But, Norway has adopted nearly three-quarters of the EU legislation, and it has implemented this legislation more effectively than many of the EU Member States. From the EU’s perspective, Norway is the third country with which the EU is most closely integrated. It has been noted that this Norwegian model has become the subject of intense internal political debates in the UK during the national preparations for the national referendum on the future of this country in the Union. The fundamental characteristics of the Norwegian model of integration with the EU has been identified and described. Thus, Norway doesn’t have the unified institutional structure, with the help of which its relationships with the EU are regulated. An important characteristic of Norway’s agreements with the EU is that they do not have their own material. Also, they are indefinite and are characterized by a substantial gap between formality and reality. Other fundamental characteristics of Norway’s integration with the EU are that this process is reactive, asymmetrical, and remarkably pragmatic. Moreover, Norway’s model of integration depoliticizes many important issues. It has been found that the main pillar of EU – Norway relations is EEA agreement. It is the largest and the most important international legal document, which comprises most of the bilateral cooperation and influences the entire model of association. It has been determined that the key negative feature of Norwegian model of relations with the EU is «integration without representation», which means that Norway is not represented in the EU decision-making processes. But these processes actually determine the development of Norwegian legislation and policy. It has been grounded that in terms of international law and practice of international cooperation, the Norwegian model of relations with the EU is exceptional. Now the European Union does not see the perspective for Ukraine to get the EU membership. Consequently, it has been suggested that in such circumstances Norway experience can be very useful for Ukraine, particularly in the context of development of ever closer relations with the EU, and the integration of national economy into the EU internal market.
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