Looking back at 2010

The year of 2010 is about to end. Has it made a difference in the relationship between Norway and the European Union? Has it brought to the surface new players and factors which will have a lasting impact?

Firstly, the health of the euro (and that of the whole EU economy) has been under close scrutiny throughout the year. Although recovery is visible and the basic underlying processes are positive, the crisis is not over and several member states had to introduce radical austerity programmes. Due mainly to the crisis and according to public opinion polls, at present only one in four Norwegians would support EU membership. But we all hope that the crisis will be overcome.

On the other side of the same coin, events have revealed in a striking manner the far-reaching consequences of the fact that our economies (of Norway and the EU) are so closely integrated. It has dawned upon us that continued difficulties would affect all sides and there is a clear common interest in rising above them. I hope the understanding of this will be more durable that the crisis itself.

Secondly, this year has seen Norway launching a reflection on the experiences with the EEA Agreement. The EU meanwhile has decided to initiate a parallel process. The outcome of these will obviously have longer-term repercussions. Hopefully, we'll find the way to adjust the functioning of the Agreement and the pertinent institutions to the changing circumstances, making it more efficient and focused.

2010 has also been a period of unfolding public debate about a number of EU directives and regulations. Obviously, we follow this very closely, respecting the fact that it is a Norwegian debate. But it is also true that the debate is about the implementation of an agreement shared by both of us, alongside other partners. It is nice to see that (according, once again, to public opinion polls) there is a clear majority among Norwegians on incorporating the directive which has produced the most intense debate and has most probably got the widest coverage in the press this year.

Thirdly, the EU has made a number of steps implementing the Lisbon Treaty and the process has had important repercussions for our relationship with Norway, though we need time to see the longer-term consequences more clearly. The European External Action Service will be up and running 1 January 2011 and I have to report to you that I have already been transferred to the new service together with all the staff of our Delegation.

Fourthly, the EU and Norway have arrived to agreements on a number of important (and complex) matters in the area of fisheries, agricultural trade and the EEA and Norway Financial Mechanisms, to mention just a few, which will determine work in the respective fields in the coming years.

So, what is the heritage of 2010 for us? Has this been a difficult but overall positive year? You will tell us. I have tried to provide some elements for your reflection. In the meantime let me wish to everybody who reads these lines Merry Xmas and a New Year that will be (even) better than the one ending now.

Norwegians interested in the EU

I am reading in the papers that according to the latest public opinion polls slightly more than 30 % of Norwegians support EU membership, meanwhile around 60 % oppose it.

These figures are there for some months already. They are important indicators. They deserve serious analysis that goes well beyond the frames of this blog and of my reach.

Paal Frisvold, leader of the European Movement stated to the press in this respect that one of the reasons for these figures might be that the EU (and the important benefits it brings) is not sufficiently known in Norway.

I agree that this is an important aspect. As a matter of fact it can be dealt with separated from the membership issue. (There might be many people who recognise the merits of the EU in general, but still do not want Norwegian membership).

After having spent more than one year in Oslo, I do not cease to be impressed by the massive EU interest among people in general and their genuine wish to learn about it and understand it better. Most Norwegians recognise that in the past the EU has been crucial in transforming Europe in a way which is very positive – also for Norway. Many also believe that bringing closer our nations in Europe is the only possibility if we want to face global challenges. So (according to many and interpreted with some simplification) the EU played an essential positive role in the past, will be part of the solution in the future, but might not be good enough right now.

Why has this view become relatively widespread? The economic and financial crisis has had its impact, as (hopefully) EU efforts to overcome it will also be recognised as they unfold. It is also true that everyday news (by its nature) tends to point out shortcomings, difficulties and mishaps. Nevertheless, we should not allow that the EU trees (there are many) hide the EU forest.

But I know there might be many differing positions and not everybody thinks about this issue as I do. I would be very interested to having your views on the matter.

The European External Action Service

The service supporting the foreign and external policy of the European Union will start soon. (The target date is 1 December 2010) It will be called European External Action Service (EEAS). Many Norwegians ask me the question: will the EEAS be the foreign ministry of the EU? Usually there is no short and/or simple answer to similar questions, because EU moves are by nature complex or for the reason that they are novel. Most frequently they are both at the same time. (Therefore not the best topics for short blogs)

The EEAS is a prime example. It is groundbreaking; nothing alike has existed before. Preparations were difficult and took a long time. EEAS staff will come from two EU institutions (the Commission and the Council) as well as from the diplomatic services of the 27 Member States. They will work under the High Representative of the EU, who at the same time is also Vice President of the European Commission. The 135 EU Delegations around the world (including the one in Oslo) will be part and parcel of the new service. The EEAS is designed to become a tool to establish better the EU as a global player both in its immediate neighbourhood and in faraway regions.

The effort is the first in its kind and it is obviously a fascinating story to follow. But the jury is out, it will be judged by its performance and you might have your own opinion on this.

Going skiing

I have just had a very pleasant visit to Mr Fabian Stang, the Mayor of Oslo. He explained to me the present state of affairs in this capital city and spoke about plans of development. He also asked me kindly how I felt here, whether Oslo treated me well. As many Norwegians, he inquired about my progress in skiing.

These are not just diplomatic questions. These are very important issues and in the hustle of everyday life we do not give enough thought to them. Writer Aron Tamasi says somewhere that our most human urge is to be at home in life.

I responded to Mr Stang that after one year I had arrived to enjoying living in Oslo and appreciating very much that I am close to nature and among a lot of good partners and friends. Not even the fact that we have November darkness looming on the horizon can take this feeling away. All the more, at the urging of my wife I have agreed that this weekend we go to buy ski equipment. She has discovered a shop with very good prices.

Bergen

I spent the day of 24 September in Bergen, together with European Commissioner Janez Potocnik, responsible for environment, attending the Ministerial Meeting of OSPAR. OSPAR is the mechanism to implement the Oslo and the Paris Conventions, adopted to protect the marine environment in the North-East Atlantic.

At the morning, before the conference we had a good meeting with Minister Erik Solheim in his hotel room. It was good to witness how well the Minister and the Commissioner understood each other, both having clear and rather similar ideas on how to make ongoing worldwide environmental efforts succeed.

On a more personal note: I enjoyed to be in Bergen and stayed over for part of the weekend, together with my wife. The town was splendid, washed in the autumn sunshine and (for the first time) we had enough time to explore the beauty of the old houses close to the centre. We went shopping at the famous fish market. People even offered to us whale meet to taste, which of course was for us one step too far. But will go definitely back – both officially and in private capacity.

Commissioner Andor in Oslo

13^th September I spent a day in Oslo with European Commissioner László Andor, responsible for employment, social affairs and inclusion. He attended a conference co-organised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on the challenges of growth, employment and social cohesion. 

These two organizations met for the first time at the highest level to discuss how to mitigate the social consequences of the economic crisis. Addressing the meeting, the Commissioner said that 2008 was "annus horribilis" for finance, 2009 for economic growth and 2010 for employment. If we fail to act, 2011 may turn out to be "annus horribilis" for social cohesion. He called for clear commitments on employment and social development alongside economic policies.

No way to deny, I enjoyed mingling with personalities such as the Prime Minister of Greece or the head of the IMF. It is even more memorable that I could feel that under the weight of the crisis there is growing awareness of the need for coordination at the global level. Congratulations to the Norwegian hosts of the event! 

Just back from Svalbard

I sit at my table, having just come back from a journey to Svalbard organised by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This was a four-day trip involving a larger group of people coming from different countries, dealing with Arctic matters.

What a wonderful experience, both personally and professionally. We have seen the effects of climate change on the spot. But we have also seen the efforts undertaken by Norwegians and by scientists of other nations, including many European countries to monitor and to understand the processes affecting the Arctic. Moreover, it was good to learn about the strict measures introduced by Norway in order to protect the vulnerable environment on Svalbard.

I haste to add, before you ask: the group had the luck of having at least a glimpse of the wildlife on Svalbard, including whales and polar bears. So it is with the still very vivid image of a polar bear that I prepare going to sail on more southern seas, beginning my vacations. But will be back in some weeks to get ready for the busy schedule from late August on.

Happiness

In this period of summer vacations it is quite understandable to engage in the business of happiness. Some days ago the prestigious Forbes.com published the result of a Gallup poll involving thousands of respondents in each of the 170 countries concerned. People were asked about how they had felt the previous days. Based on the answers, and in particular the percentage of individuals who were "thriving", Forbes has published the ranking of the World's Happiest Countries.

I'd say there are no major surprises in the first five places, occupied by Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands in this order. Of course one might say that these are four Nordic countries plus one. Others (like me) could say that there are four EU countries - plus one. Both observations might be right to some extent, should we suppose (just for a sunny summer moment) that happiness can be measured.

Football World Cup

Most European teams, as you recall, suffered during the group phase at the World Cup in South Africa. As there were many Norwegians supporting the different European teams, their early setback led to disappointment and a whole range of comments. Some of these even hinted at detecting a connection between this weak football showing and the economic crisis in Europe.

Now that European teams have taken places 1-2-3 in the World Cup, I hope I could go as far as suggesting that this outstanding result might be taken as a sign of economic recovery on our continent.