European integration extends way beyond the 28 EU member states, with a number of neighbouring countries being members of the internal market and Schengen. Which models of affiliation are currently in place, and to what extent do these relations suffer from participatory gaps?
This conference will discuss the Norwegian perspective in particular, but also EU-Switzerland relations.
In 2014, Norway celebrates the bicentennial of the Constitution as well as the 20th anniversary of the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement. Norway has become deeply entangled in the European integration project through the EEA agreement, Schengen and other agreements. This conference will explore Norway’s EU affiliation based on a recent book: The Norwegian paradox, which points to several problems from a democratic perspective.
Switzerland is affiliated with the EU through bilateral agreements. What lessons can we learn from the Swiss perspective? What are the democratic implications of this kind of affiliation?
Programme
14:00
Welcome and introduction
Christopher Lord, ARENA
Norway’s EU affiliation: Democratic self-harm?
Erik Oddvar Eriksen, ARENA
Surrogate representation in Brussels
John Erik Fossum, ARENA
The paradox of an outsider: Depoliticized citizenship
Espen D. H. Olsen, ARENA
Democracy or action capacity? Norway-EU relations in foreign and security policy
Helene Sjursen, ARENA
15:10
Coffee break
15:25
The EEA and the case law of the ECJ: Incorporation without participation?
Halvard Haukeland Fredriksen, University of Bergen
The EEA vs. bilateral agreements: The Swiss case
René Schwok, University of Geneva
The expansion of the EU’s economic community: Lessons for the neighbours
Sieglinde Gstöhl, College of Europe
16:10
Panel debate
Chair: Christopher Lord
16:45
Cocktail reception
17:30
End of conference
About the contributors
Download the programme with notes on contributors and practical information (pdf)
Registration
The conference is free and open to anyone, but please register by 20 June.
The conference is fully booked.
If you would like to be included on a waiting list, please send an e-mail to Marit Eldholm
The event will take place on the 5th floor of the newly opened Philanthropy House in Brussels. The building is located in Rue Royale 94.