Norwegian veto to EU directive could end EEA

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Veto could end EEA

Aftenposten
November 22, 2006

A Norwegian veto on a proposed European Union Directive of Services could spell the end of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA).


EU ambassador Percy Westerlund warned that a veto from EEA member Norway against the proposed directive could spark a discussion on the future of the EEA, which includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Westerlund told news agency NTB that both the EU Commission and the EU member nations would have difficulties accepting the rejection of such central legislation from a non-member nation.

"A serious question that will be raised is whether the EU can accept that a non-member nation, that fully participates in the inner market, shall have a privilege that member nations do not have," Westerlund said.

Westerlund emphasized that he sees this discussion as highly hypothetical.

"I find it difficult to believe that Norway should have problems with a directive that Nordic neighbors and labor unions not only can live with, but also view as a victory," he said.

Westerlund brushed off the main fear voiced by Norwegian skeptics, that the directive would open the way for 'social dumping', that is, lower wages and weaker employee rights.

"If the directive had resulted in social dumping the EU member nations would have reacted. This is something that all governments are concerned about," Westerlund said.

The EU says the aim of the directive is "to achieve a genuine Internal Market in services by removing legal and administrative barriers to the development of service activities between Member States."


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