Quote Originally Posted by Seamus Fermanagh View Post
I might be wrong here, cher Louis, but I suspect that the Norwegians are likely to counter that they're adopting those ideas they deem fit and useful while reserving the right to cordially request that the EU travel to the theological place of eternal punishment.
No, I am afraid it really works the way I described it. Norway follows EU regulation to the letter. EU directives are simply faxed to Oslo, which then implements it. As Din-Heru says: in reality we have yet to veto a directive in the EEA-treaty.

This is most unfair of course, and I am very frustrated by Norway's and Iceland's free ride in this manner. They receive all the benefits of EU legislation and government efforts, without contributing to the costs of it. It is time they started coughing up. (To be fair, they do contribute financially to some common services)

My sole consolation is that we can boss them around at will like this. As a non-member, Norway has no direct influence over the legislative processes. We decide for them. Without them having any say in the process whatsoever. A bit like we used to treat our mandate territories, like Syria or Cameroon.