‘EEA deal should be TERMINATED’ Demands grow for Norway to QUIT ‘weak’ EU trade agreement
A NORWEGIAN politician has slammed the country's trade deal with Brussels, saying it should be "terminated" and replaced with a free trade solution.
A Norwegian politician has slammed Norway's trade agreement with the EU
Norway's European Economic Area (EEA) agreement with the European Union gives the country access to the single market.
Britain could be moving in a direction of a similar agreement with the bloc, which would mean continuing to accept free movement within the EU.
Those in favour of a transitional deal for Britain post-Brexit are thought to back the so-called 'Norway-style' solution.
But Geir Iversen, of Norway's Centre Party (SP), warned the EEA deal is not profitable for the country's fishing industry.
He said: “We need to look at how we have placed ourselves with regard to the EEA rules.
"In my view, we should terminate the entire EEA agreement and draft a free trade agreement."
In my view, we should terminate the entire EEA agreement and draft a free trade agreement
Mr Iversen is tipped to become fishing minister if the Centre Party wins the parliamentary election next month.
Last year Norway exported seafood valued at 91.6billion NOK (£8.9billion).
More than 67 per cent of the fish sold overseas went to the European market.
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Trade organisation Seafood Norway (Sjømat Norge) claimed the EEA solution is crucial for its seafood trade.
Kristin Alnes, head of corporate communications and industry at Sjømat Norge, said: "We are worried political parties are seriously questioning the EEA agreement, because it is an agreement that secures us necessary access to the EU market."
However, Norway's Centre Party dismissed the organisation as narrow-minded.
Centre Party politician Geir Pollestad said: "Sjømat Norge's problem is that they believe the EEA Agreement is the only solution and that it is perfect.
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"I think it has major weaknesses and we need an alternative to it."
Last week, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, leader of the Centre Party, demanded Norway finds a substitute for its deal with Brussels.
He suggested the country investigate its EEA deal if his party wins in the election in September.
Michel Barnier, the European Commission's chief Brexit negotiator, is reportedly in support of Britain rejoining the the EEA from outside the bloc.
Trade secretary Liam Fox and environment secretary Michael Gove are also believed to be on board with a 'Norway-style' agreement.