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Norway’s minister for Europe has warned Britain of serious consequences for economic and security policy if it leaves the European Union.
Before a visit to London, during which he will meet Foreign Office ministers and officials, Vidar Helgesen, Norway’s minister for the European Economic Area (EEA) and EU affairs, told the Observer that his country often found it difficult to shape economic rules that affected Norway – often cited by Eurosceptics as a shining example of how a nation can thrive outside the EU – while not being a member.
He also said that at a time of “burning security crisis not seen since the cold war”, most key meetings were now being convened at EU level, rather than within Nato, and it was vital that the UK was there to shape decisions.
Largely as a result of its oil resources, Norway is one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, with a higher per-capita income than the vast majority of its member states. British Eurosceptics often say the Norwegian experience is evidence of how a country outside the EU, but enjoying the benefits of the single market through membership of the EEA, can prosper without having to commit itself to full membership. Helgesen said, however, that this arrangement often created frustrations and difficulties, which meant Norwegian ministers and officials spent a lot of time – sometimes without success – trying to find out what was going on in EU meetings that would affect their country directly.
British Influence’s director, Peter Wilding, said: “Eurosceptics who peddle the myth that Norway is the best [model] for a non-EU Britain are deceiving the British public. They say leaving leads to more democracy and security. This is nonsense.