Norway and the EU undergoing change

The world is changing, and uncertainty is high. In recent years, Europe has faced multiple crises with significant consequences – including for Norway. To address these challenges, the EU has launched several new initiatives. Developments are unfolding rapidly, and as a closely associated non-member, Norway is strongly affected by these changes.

At NUPI, the project “Norway and the EU Towards 2030” (2022–2024) has contributed to strengthening and disseminating knowledge about the EU and Norway’s relationship with the Union. The 2025 allocation opened for an extension of the project, initially by one year. During this period,  "Norway and the EU undergoing change" was conducted at NUPI, in collaboration with ARENA – Centre for European Studies at the University of Oslo. 

The project was funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health. It aims to cover the following areas:
1. The EU’s role in security, preparedness, and defense
2. The EU’s role in economic security and competitiveness
3. The EU’s role in defending democracy
4. The EU’s role in promoting a green and just transition
5. The EU’s role in health cooperation (the European Health Union)

Although this project concluded at NUPI in 2025, it continues at ARENA.

Publications (in Norwegian)

Norge og EU i endring: Når EØS blir utilstrekkelig. Pernille Rieker. (10.02.2026). Internasjonal Politikk, 84(1), 19–23.

The introduction to this focus section analyses how the EU, in the face of war, geopolitical rivalry, internal democratic challenges, and increased uncertainty in transatlantic relations, has evolved from a primarily market-based integration project into a more coordinated political and security actor.

Når EU vil stå på egne ben: Strategisk autonomi og konsekvenser for Norge. Marianne Riddervold, Pernille Rieker og Tine J. Brøgger (ARENA). (10.02.2026). Internasjonal Politikk, 84(1), 24–40.

The term strategic autonomy has grown to mean far more than achieving a particular level of military autonomy: it is about building European cross-sectoral resilience - from the defence industry and space to emergency preparedness, energy and economic security. This article seeks to clarify the meaning of the term strategic autonomy and analyses three novel EU initiatives: Readiness EU, Preparedness Union and the suggested European Competitiveness Fund.

Hvorfor Norge har et stort implementeringsetterslep i energisektoren. Merethe Dotterud Leiren (CICERO og ARENA), Marie Byskov Lindberg (CICERO) og Kacper Szulecki. (10.02.2026). Internasjonal Politikk, 84(1), 56–69.

Historically, Norway’s energy policy has largely aligned with that of the EU. Nevertheless, Norway has not transposed several consecutive packages of EU energy regulation. Seeking to answer the questions why such a delay in implementation has occured, the authors draw on insights from implementation literature and on developments and debates in the energy sector.

EUs samordning av klimapolitikken og Norges styringsutfordringer. Kacper Szulecki, Tor Håkon Jackson Inderberg (FNI) og Jon Birger Skjærseth (FNI) (06.2025). Resultater og anbefalinger, Include - Research centre for socially inclusive energy transitions.

The NUPI and FNI researchers examine how the EU's climate and energy policy packages have influenced Norway's national governance of climate and energy policy, and cross-sectoral coordination from 2009 to 2025.

Opinion Pieces (in Norwegian)

Norges politiske unnvikelse. Pernille Rieker (14.01.2026). Dagens Næringsliv. 

In light of Norway’s "political evasion", Pernille Rieker analyzes how European integration has, to date, emerged strengthened by the many crises confronting the Union.

EU er ikke det EU var, og EØS er ikke lenger nok. Marianne Riddervold (24.11.2025). Aftenposten. 

Marianne Riddervold argues that the world and the EU are changing rapidly. Trade barriers on ferroalloys are only the first sign of the challenges Norway will face.

EU-medlemskap blir stadig viktigere for Norge. Pernille Rieker (15.05.2025). Aftenposten.

Pernille Rieker argues that the EU is becoming an increasingly important anchor for Norway as the US moves in a more authoritarian direction.

Nå vil EU ha flere kraftkabler i Nordsjøen. Fortsatt «Norway first»? Kacper Szulecki og Anne Therese Gullberg (Kruse Larsen) (26.02.2025). Dagens Næringsliv. 

Kacper Szulecki and Anne Therese Gullberg explain the European Commission's proposal for a strengthened energy union, and predict that more foreign cables in the North Sea will provoke reactions among Norwegian politicians and voters.

Norges sikkerhet er uløselig knyttet til et sterkt og samlet Europa. Pernille Rieker (20.02.2025). Aftenposten.  

Pernille Rieker writes that Norway is lagging behind as its closest allies adapt to a new geopolitical reality by considering NATO and the EU as mutually reinforcing actors.

Europeisk sikkerhet krever alle verktøy i verktøykassen. Pernille Rieker (03.01.2025). Aftenposten.  

Pernille Reiker reviews the European security toolbox and writes that the majority of Norway's closest allies in Europe view the EU as a natural part of their security strategy. This helps strengthen their ability to defend themselves and thus also NATO.

Other activities

Debatten: Europa - bære eller briste? Øyvind Svendsen (07.06.2025). Debate, Norwegian Literature Festival.

"Øyvind Svendsen participated in a debate about Europe caught between the USA, Russia, and China at the Norwegian Literature Festival in Lillehammer. Questions in debate included whether there is capacity and will to unite the interests of the European nation-states, and whether the tension within and between the countries will fracture the European community. 

HSV-SEMINAR: "Europa mellom USA og Kina" Øyvind Svendsen (07.05.2025). Seminar, Senioruniversitet i Lillestrøm. 

Øyvind Svendsen lectured on the development of the world order and the relationship between Europe, the USA, and China at the biannual seminar for history, society, and science (HSV) at Lillestrøm Cultural Center in June.