Statement by E. Bull:
The Case of Norway.
Negotiations with the EU as an outsider is complex. There is no balanced relationship; the rules are set by the other party. Often there is nothing to negotiate about – the acquis is there, you can hope to negotiate certain adaptations or transitional arrangement, but they must be few in number. Nevertheless, important vis-à-vis public opinion in your own country to “demonstrate” that real negotiations are taking place. That being said, the membership negotiations gave a few examples of acquis modifications (management of fisheries and arctic agriculture).
How to influence? The EU is multi-headed. Brussels is but one arena for action. Capitals are often more important. Deals with the Commission are frequently overruled by member countries. Remember that the real power is not in Representations of member countries in Brussels but in the relevant ministries in capitals. Ambassadors are important but not necessarily enough. Even sensitivities between ministries and PM offices in capitals must be taken into account.
In short, as an outsider you have to travel a lot. Often coordinated efforts in capitals and Brussels – representations and Commission – are necessary. It is important not to forget the European Parliament which through co-decision has become more and more unfluential.
As a member of the EEA Agreement Norway can influence at the level of experts at least in theory on par with experts from member countries as matters are dealt with in the Commission. In areas of great importance to Norway (energy), the issue may be taken up with the Commission which is supposed to take the representation into account with member countries. Once the Commission has tabled a proposal, Norway takes the role of an ordinary 3rd country except for the possibilities of addressing the Commission. Norway participates in the making, but not in the taking of decisions. The political sphere is reserved for member countries only. In that phase influencing becomes cumbersome.
Norway is associated with the EU through three sector agreements: 1) The EEA Agreement (single market), 2) Security, justice and home affairs (Shengen) and the CFSP. The arrangements are institutionally different with certain similarities. A common feature: there is participation with no voting rights.
Whatever the rules the EU is a club where member countries interests will always prevail over the interests of 3rd countries or countries with special arrangements.
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Einar M. BULL
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President of the EFTA Surveillance Authority, Brussels | | | |
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Maja WESSELS
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Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Honeywell, Brussels | | | |
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Thomas MAYR-HARTING
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Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia, EEAS - European External Action Service, Brussels | | | |
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President of the EFTA Surveillance Authority, Brussels
| 1968 | Master of Science Degree in Business, Norwegian School of Business Administration, Bergen
| 1969 | Trainee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
| 1970 | -72 Head of Division, Norsk Nefelin, Elkem (Special leave from Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
| 1973 | -75 Vice-consul, Norwegian Consulate General, Genoa
| 1975 | -78 First Secretary of Embassy, NATO Delegation, Brussels
| 1978 | -80 Executive Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
| 1980 | -82 Senior Executive Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
| 1982 | -84 Head of Division, North/South issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
| 1984 | -88 Ambassador, Norwegian Embassy, Lagos
| 1988 | -91 Assistant Director General, Department for External Economic Affairs I, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
| 1992 | -94 Deputy chief negotiator on negotiations for accession to the EU
| 1991 | -94 Director General, Department for External Economic Affairs I, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
| 1994 | -96 Assistant Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Economic matters (in Norway)
| 1996-2001 | Ambassador, Mission of Norway to the EU, Brussels
Partner, BXL Consulting, Brussels
| 1986 | graduation from the Law Faculty at the Charles University in Prague
| 1986 | Unit of public international law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
| 1988 | Unit of private international law and in two years time became legal adviser within the CSFR delegation for the negotiations on the Europe Agreement on Association
| 1991-1995 | different positions at the Czechoslovak/Czech Mission to the European Communities in Brussels, including the ones of Deputy Head and Head of Mission
| 1995 | became Director of the European Communities Department and the following year Director General of the Integration Section (EC, NATO, UN) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
| 1998 | appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and shortly after Chief Negotiator for the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union
| 1999 | promoted to I Deputy Minister and appointed State Secretary for European Affairs
| 2002 | Ambassador and Head of Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the European Communities
| 2004 | nominated by the Czech Government for the post of Commissioner
| 2004 | co-founded BXL Consulting with offices in Prague and Brussels
| 2005 | joined the European Policy Centre (EPC) as a Senior Advisor on an external basis
Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Honeywell, Brussels
| | President, United Technologies International Operations Europe |
| | Vice President, Government Affairs, Chrysler |
| | Senior Manager, US General Accounting Office |
| | Manager, Lehmen Brothers |
Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia, EEAS - European External Action Service, Brussels
| 1977 | Diploma, Law Studies in Vienna
| 1977-1978 | Postgraduate-Studies, College of Europe, Bruges
| 1978 | Diploma of The Hague Academy of International Law, The Hague
| 1979 | Joined the Austrian Diplomatic Service
| 1982-1986 | Austrian Mission to the European Communities, Brussels
| 1986-1990 | Austrian Embassy, Moscow
| 1991-1993 | Private Office of the Austrian Foreign Minister, Vienna
| 1993-1995 | Deputy Head of Cabinet of Foreign Ministers Mock and Schüssel, Vienna
| 1995-1999 | Deputy Political Director and Director for Security Policy and Policy Planning, Austrian Foreign Ministry, Vienna
| 1999-2003 | Ambassador of Austria to Belgium and Head of the Austrian Mission to NATO, Brussels
| 2002-2004 | Special Representative of the Austrian Foreign Minister for the Western Balkans
| 2003-2004 | Representative of the Chancellor in the Reform Commission of the Federal Army, Vienna
| 2003-2008 | Political Director (Director General for Political Affairs) of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Vienna
| 2008-2011 | Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, New York
| 2009-2010 | Also represented Austria on the United Nations Security Council, New York
| 2011 | Vice-President of the 66th General Assembly of the UN, New York
| 2011-2015 | Ambassador, (Head of the Delegation) of the European Union to the United Nations, New York
| | Visiting Professor, College of Europe, Bruges and Natolin |
| | Lecturer, Diplomatic Academy, Vienna |
