(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
In a situation where Norway's national interests in the Svalbard zone are at stake, and where Norway is pressured – not least by the EU – Erna Solberg chooses party tactics rather than defending Norway. It's sensational! In a comment in VG 24.11., The Conservative leader manages to say that "Norway would receive Svalbard support if we were an EU member". Hair-raising of one who has set himself the goal of being prime minister of this country. In a situation where most legal experts, lead writers (see for example Aftenposten same day (EU on the wrong track) and political analysts agree that Norway has a good cause, that the Government stands bravely and clearly for Norwegian interests, and that the EU and Spain has run into a dead end, the Conservative leader puzzles in from the side with his cry in the woods: "Norway must become a member of the EU to gain influence".
Maybe also Right should take a trip into the thinking box? I allow myself to quote Aftenposten's head: “The EU's common fisheries policy has so far been a continuous disaster. The North Sea is almost empty of fish, fisheries in Ireland and Scotland are overfished, fishing communities in the UK have been closed down. Spain's and Portugal's fleets are not reduced. The temptation to commit money to make money is great. The EU's control of the landing of fish is, to say the least, limp. ”
It is these guys Solberg wants Norway to join, so we "can take the fight with them internally". "It is not certain the EU had supported
us, but we had more friends, ”Solberg whispers pathetically. What about some support for a Government fighting for our interests, Solberg? How about letting the party tactics rest for a second and backing up those defending international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea? Not to mention coastal communities and fishing population?
Imagine hearing a Hearing Officer in this situation, say: Norway must of course stand firm on its treaty-based and international law and duty to ensure the proper management of fishery resources in the economic zone and on the continental shelf. The Government has our full support in defending the Norwegian view. The EU and Spain have a lousy case and must give in. It had been statesman art there, Solberg. Instead of the beep about joining the predators to make friends. Wasn't it even called "Iron-Erna"?
Heming Olaussen is the leader in No to the EU.