In Norway and Iceland, potential accession to the European Union is increasingly mentioned. It is possible that in both countries there will be referendums that will examine support for this idea in societies. According to MEP KOK, the accession of both northern countries would be a significant reinforcement for the EU, but also an important decision for Poland.
– There is very much mobilization in Scandinavia and Nordic countries, also because Finland and Sweden have joined the North Atlantic Pact. A discussion has begun in two countries that are outside the European Union, Iceland and Norway, about the possible joining to the European Union – says Newseria Łukasz Kohut, a Member of the European Parliament from the Civic Coalition.
As announced by the Icelandic government in 2027, a referendum is to be held in which citizens will comment on whether the authorities should begin accession negotiations with the EU.
– That would be the first referendum. Later, another, after negotiations, about whether Iceland joins or not at all, so the situation in Iceland is very dynamic – says Łukasz Kohut.
Gallup's study published at the beginning of April indicates that 44 percent Icelanders are in favor of Iceland's accession to the EU, and 36 percent is opposite. These are similar results to those recorded three years ago, but then the support was clearly growing. There are more votes among the inhabitants of the capital and people with higher education. It was also examined what Icelanders think about the presence of Iceland in NATO – here the support is clear: over 71 percent. society is in favor, and against – less than 12 percent.
– On the other hand, when it comes to Norway, the situation is more complicated, because Norway has twice said “no” of the European Union, once in the 70s, the second time in the 1990s, but because of the complicated geopolitical situation and the return of Jens Stoltenberg to Norway, it is said that after the next parliamentary election, i.e. around October this year Public debate on the third accession referendum to the European Union – indicates the MEP.
The April survey for newspapers “Nationen” and “Klassekacket” indicates that the issue of EU accession is closer than ever in the last 20 years. About 33 percent Norwegians were in favor of membership, and 42 percent against. For comparison, in 2012, there were over 70 percent opponents, and a dozen or so supporters.
– It would be a really big reinforcement for the European Union and for Norway, if Norway joined the Union, because, firstly, it is a huge, strong economy that underwent energy transformation before it was fashionable, and secondly, it would be another military signal that Europe is strengthened. I think that we can dream of a lot of good about it, because it would definitely be strengthening the entire European Union as an international organization – says Łukasz Kohut.
In his opinion, it would also be an important event for Poland because of the “closing” of the space of North Europe and the Baltic Sea within the EU.
– I think that Prime Minister Donald Tusk also went in this direction when he traveled all Nordic and Scandinavian countries, because in my opinion it is absolutely crucial to have allies, also because these are quite strong armies. They may not be very numerous, but very well equipped with weapons and also have extensive combat experience, so for Poland it would definitely be a great strengthening from the north – emphasizes the PO MEP.
The European Union and Norway maintain very close relations. Although Norway is not a member of the EU, he participates in the Schengen zone. This country is also an important partner of the Union in terms of energy and security and defense, which is also of great importance for Poland. In December 2024, the armed forces of the Kingdom of Norway announced the distribution of the NASAMS rocket anti-aircraft defense system at the Rzeszów-Jesionka airport to protect it against the attack of air attack. In January, the government reported that the Norwegian F-35 aircraft protect the Polish sky by taking part in NATO Operations for the protection of the eastern flank. Both sides also count on the development of cooperation between arms industries. In April this year. Talks on this subject took place in Warsaw between representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Poland and Norway. Both countries also concluded an intergovernmental agreement, opening the fourth edition of Norwegian funds for 2021-2028. Thanks to it, Poland will receive a total of over 441 million euros (i.e. over PLN 1.9 billion) for projects and investments in the area of local development (support of municipalities and regions), green business and innovation, justice, culture and internal affairs. Government representatives also participated in the meetings of the Nordic-Baltic States eight (NB8), which focused on the security issues of the region.
