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Of several in the No to EU movement, the UK Brexit deal is seen as an opportunity to take a revenge on the EEA deal. Søreide, on the other hand, believes that the British agreement does not affect Norway’s relations with the EU and the EEA.
– No, on the contrary. What Britain is losing now is the close relationship they have with their exit from the domestic market, which is something we continue with. For us, for example, trade and personal mobility will develop the same as between us and the EU today, and it is important because the EU is both our largest market and our closest partner, Søreide tells NTB.
She believes that it is crucial for Norway that the EEA agreement ensures smooth access to the EU internal market.
– The British are losing now. So of course it is also the case that trade between the EU and the UK will be more complicated than it is today and there will be more barriers than there are today, but it is a choice that the UK has made and we must respect that, says the Foreign Minister.
Little is known about the consequences for Norway
He is not surprised that the parties reached an agreement, despite long rounds of negotiations and several rounds of overtime.
– We have seen in recent weeks that there have been indications that an agreement would be reached. We believe that it is both positive for the relationship between the EU and the UK, around which more predictability is created. It is also positive for us. The details of the deal then remain to be seen, because it is not yet public, says Søreide.
– What consequences will the agreement have for Norway?
– At the moment we do not know much about the consequences for Norway, but we have already signed agreements with the UK that ensure our future relationship in many areas, says Søreide, and mentions the agreement on the rights of Norwegians in the UK, aviation agreement, the framework conditions for fishing and an agreement on zero duties for industrial goods.
– It is important for Norwegian companies because the UK is a very important business partner for us, says Søreide.
There will be changes for Norwegian companies
Much work remains to be done to find out what the relationship between Norway and the UK will look like in the post-Brexit period.
– The most important thing we will agree on now is a comprehensive free trade agreement, on which we are working and negotiating fully, says Søreide.
But Norwegian companies and industry must prepare for changes in the current situation.
– Our ambition is to get a very broad and good free trade agreement with the UK because it is one of our most important trading partners. But at the same time, we must be prepared for changes, because no free trade agreement can replace what we have together today through full participation in the internal market. So when the UK leaves the domestic market, there will be changes for Norwegian companies as well, says Søreide.
