Theme: The Nordics and the EU
On the fringes of the EU
The Nordics’ relationship with the EU stretches from Denmark joining 50 years ago to Iceland's current renewed debate about reopening accession talks that were never finalised.
New OECD report: lessons for Nordics' crisis preparedness
The OECD has looked at how the Nordic region handled the corona crisis and which lessons might be learned when dealing with new labour market crises. What sets the Nordics apart from other industrial nations is the close cooperation between the social partners and the fact that support was given to companies with the understanding it would be partly refunded.
Denmark's 50 years long tug-of-war with the EU
Denmark is the EU veteran among the Nordic countries. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Denmark joining the EC, as it was called back then. And during all these years, the Danes – with increasing difficulty – have fought to maintain their labour market model. Now, they have run out of patience and the tug of war has culminated with Denmark trying to have the minimum wage directive ruled invalid.
Norwegians still largely negative to EU membership
It is nearly 30 years since Norwegians voted no to EU membership for the last time – so far. The chances for another referendum are slim.
Iceland starting to ponder EU membership
Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009, after the collapse of the banking system almost bankrupted the country. The government at the time, led by the EU-friendly Social Democratic Party, believed membership was vital for financial stability. The Euro was also seen as better than the small and unstable krona.
How the EEA grant gives Norway influence in the EU
Norway and Iceland have full access to the EU internal market thanks to the EEA agreement. But they have to pay a fee. Between 2014 and 2021, Norway paid a total of 60 billion Norwegian kroner (€5.3bn) for access. The difference is that the country has a say in what the money is used for, which brings both influence and attention. A new report details what has been achieved.
The Norwegian civil servant working for Sweden
In January, Norwegian Finn Ola Jølstad swapped his day job as a senior civil servant at the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion in Oslo for a job at the Swedish Ministry of Employment. His job exchange lasts six months and falls right in the middle of Sweden’s EU Presidency.
The greatest threats to energy supply in the Nordic region
Nordic Energy Research has presented a list of risks to the energy market. Topping it, somewhat surprisingly, is the long approval process facing new energy projects along with the fact that there is little public support for state-funded infrastructure investments.
Iceland: Just 15 per cent away from being a CO2 emission-free society
Iceland is likely to become the first completely carbon-neutral country in the world. In the current European energy price crisis, the country is an island of stability.
The battery factory turing Sweden's migration flow 360°
Five years. That is how long Sweden has left to succeed with its green transition. The big challenge will be to get people to move to where the jobs are and for society to change in step with the changes in industry.
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