Prime Minister Erna Solberg says she’s keen to cooperate with her partners in the European Economic Area (EEA/EØS), Iceland and Liechtenstein, to jointly negotiate a new trade and policy pact with the UK. The three EEA members met in Oslo on the first working day after the UK formally withdrew from the EU, and therefore the EEA as well.
“We haven’t drafted a government decision yet, but we can all get the most out of negotiations (with the UK) if we (Norway, Iceland and Liechtensteein) negotiate together,” Solberg told news bureau NTB.
Her fellow government leaders (Kartin Jakobsdottir of Iceland and Adrian Hasler of Liechtenstein) stressed a desire for joint negotiations as well, after their meeting. They all called for close cooperation in the months ahead as they prepare to hammer out a new agreement with the EU. Solberg stressed how Norway and Iceland have many common interests, while Liechtenstein is especially concerned with financial services.
“We know now to work together and we know where we have challenges,” Solberg said, “and that we must respect each other’s special needs.”
newsinenglish.no staff
