Norway supports international cooperation and the peaceful settlement of disputes, recognizing the need for maintaining a strong national defense through collective security. Accordingly, the cornerstones of Norwegian policy are active membership in NATO and support for the United Nations and its specialized agencies. Norway also pursues a policy of economic, social, and cultural cooperation with other Nordic countries--Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland--through the Nordic Council. Norway ended a 2-year term on the UN Security Council in January 2003, and chaired the Iraq Sanctions Committee.
In addition to strengthening traditional ties with developed countries, Norway seeks to build friendly relations with developing countries and has undertaken humanitarian and development aid efforts with selected African and Asian nations. Norway also is dedicated to encouraging democracy, assisting refugees, and protecting human rights throughout the world.
Norway is the only Scandinavian country that is not a member of the European Union. Membership has been proposed within Norway, and referendums over Norwegian membership were held in 1972 and 1994. Fears over a loss of sovereignty regarding fishing quotas have led to a 'no' vote in both referendums. Presently the government has decided not to touch upon possibilities for future membership, in part because the coalition cabinet of Kjell Magne Bondevik has vowed to resign if EU-membership becomes an issue; one of the parties in the coalition, Høyre is for EU-membership while the two other partners are more or less opposed. Norway does have a trade agreement with the EU however. Since Norway's neighbours and biggest trade partners are EU members some commentators predict membership at some point if an agreement over fishing rights can be made.
Every year since 1947 norway gives a large Christmas tree to Londonas (http://www.norway.org.uk/culture/misc/christmastree.htm) a symbol of the friendship forged between the two nations during WW2
Norway pursues an active foreign policy based on cooperation on several fronts, including membership in NATO, active involvement in the work of the United Nations, close regional cooperation through the Nordic Council, and its membership in the European Economic Area.
Norway's ministry of foreign affairs was established on the same day that Norway declared its independence from Sweden, June 7, 1905.
The late foreign minister Johan Jørgen Holst was instrumental in forging the Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO.
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