At present, Norway implements export control to third states and imposes restrictive measures (sanctions) through different arms of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It now wants to consolidate it into one entity, through ‘establish[ing] a separate government agency’ with ‘more resources’ at its disposal.
The new agency will be up-and-running in 2024.
Comment:
Norway’s actions here are obviously welcome, not necessarily for a new agency, but the intent of legal measures to which Norway is not bound by EU law. Given that Norway is an EFTA state applying the EEA Agreement, it is not a part of the EU’s Common Commercial Policy (i.e., trade and investments agreements, inter alia) on the exporting of goods to third states, and nor is it part of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), through which the EU and its Member States impose sanctions.
That said, the shadow of the EU looms large over Norway, for it obviously subscribes to the EU’s ideology on export controls to third states, along with the EU restrictive measures. But as part of the EU’s internal market, and the free movement of goods, some voluntarily alignment is and should be expected from Norway. This new agency, on a permanent footing, confirms that it will.
The announcement by Norway can be viewed at the following link: https://lnkd.in/eqPFjbJS
Graham Butler