New 'union' with Sweden takes shape
Aftenposten Norway
June 7, 2005
Norway and Sweden ended their uneasy union 100 years ago, but the two countries are cooperating more than ever on a variety of fronts. A surprising number of Norwegians and Swedes think a new union could be a good thing.
It's been 100 years since Norway broke out of its union
with Sweden, but the two countries are good friends.
The dissolution of the Norwegian-Swedish union ended peacefully in 1905 and the two countries are good friends, despite tensions during and right after World War II.
A key issue contributing to the dissolution was Norway's desire for its own consular service for representation overseas. Today, things have come full circle, with Norway and Sweden even sharing some embassies and consular services.
The Nordic countries built an embassy complex in Berlin, for example, and Norway and Sweden share a consulate in Phuket, Thailand. "That's a good start," comments Member of Parliament and former University of Oslo dean Inge Lønning of the Conservatives.
Lønning also wants Norway to join the European Union and is the man behind the slogan "From Union to Union - 100 years outside is enough."
Norwegian soldiers will also soon start serving under Swedish command. As newspaper
Dagens Næringsliv reported Tuesday, the parliament quietly decided late last week that Norway will contribute troops to a new EU military force.
The northern division of the EU force will consist of Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Estonian troops, and since Sweden will contribute the most with around 1,100 military personnel, Swedish officers will have command.
The two countries' royal families also have close ties. On Monday, when the Swedes celebrated their own flag day, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit paid a visit to the Swedish Embassy in Oslo, to offer their congratulations.
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