The EEA and Norway Grants: A Source of Soft Power?

Abstract

Much of the EU literature is concerned with power in one way or the other — voting power, negotiation power, normative power, etc. However, less attention has been accorded to the power of national financial contributions. While it is difficult to isolate the power potential linked to the size and the character of the contributions from the different member states it might be easier to investigate the power potential of the contributions of a close associated non-member, like Norway. This is precisely what this article attempts to do. It investigates the EEA and Norway Grants and asks whether the contribution can be viewed as a source of Norwegian soft power.

Key words:

• Norway
• EEA
• Soft power
• Redistribution

Notes

1. These questions are also relevant as regards the other non-EU members that contribute to EU social and economic development: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. While the first two and Norway are together responsible for the Grants, Norway is by far the largest contributor, covering more than 97 per cent of the value.

2. A commonly used concept in statistical literature.

3. http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/ud/dok/veiledninger/2006/omdommeutvalget.html?id=439698.

4. Interview with Norwegian officials in March 2014.

5. Nationen, 30 June 2014.

6. Interview with Norwegian officials in March 2014.

7. TV 2 News, 10 June 2011.

8. Interview with Norwegian officials in March 2014.

9. Based on information from the NMFA (e-mail).

10. Tripartite cooperation is the dialogue between employers’ organisations, trade unions and public authorities. The idea of a fund for tripartite cooperation was launched by Norway at a negotiation meeting the 30th of January 2009 (Nilsen 2009).

11. Interview with Norwegian officials in March 2014.

12. In an interview with Line Håland Aaltvedt at the Nowegian mission to the EU:

http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/sub/europaportalen/aktuelt/nyheter/2013/mot-vidarhelgesen.html?id=744,652.

13. Through the EEA agreement, Norway is obliged (and has the right) to implement EU policy deemed EEA-relevant.

14. Interviews with Norwegian officials in March 2014.

15. Some agencies are part of the Schengen cooperation, and are therefore regulated by the Schengen agreement. However, some agencies are outside of the EEA agreement, such as the European Defence Agency (EDA). Several agencies are in the justice and home affairs sector but outside of the Schengen cooperation.

16. There may be constitutional challenges with Norway taking part in EU agencies as it often implies ceding sovereignty. The terms for Norwegian membership is negotiated on between the EU and Norway.

17. The 2009–2014 Grants have some funding directed to support projects from the 2004–2009 Grants.

18. Interview with Norwegian officials in March 2014.

19. Interview with Norwegian officials in March 2014.

20. NRK Dagsrevyen, 13 June 2011.