What is the current status three months before the UK officially leaves the EU? Will the UK and the EU reach a withdrawal agreement, or are we heading towards a hard Brexit? What will be the consequences for the Norwegian economy and research, if so?
Here in Norway, there are also significant discussions about our relationship with the EU. If we didn't know before, Brexit teaches us that Norway cannot abolish the EEA agreement and then expect to negotiate a better deal. But if the EEA agreement is so good, why is the UK going to great lengths to avoid it?
Researchers have long claimed that Brexit is, in reality, impossible: the interweaving of European countries' economy, governance, legal system, communication, and security has progressed to such an extent that it is not possible to untangle without significant costs.
We need not look further than Norway to understand that this is the case. Does Norway have sufficient knowledge preparedness to face the challenges ahead?
Participants:
- Erik Oddvar Eriksen, Director and Professor, ARENA Center for European Studies, University of Oslo
- Kristin Danielsen, International Director at the Research Council of Norway
- Benedicte Staalesen Nilsen, Senior Adviser and Project Manager at the Norwegian Confederation of Business (NHO), former political advisor (Høyre) at the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Stein Reegård, Senior Adviser at the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), former Chief Economist at LO and State Secretary (Arbeiderpartiet)
- Moderator: Åse Gornitzka, Vice-Rector and Professor, University of Oslo