EU membership less attractive after Greek crisis
OSLO (AFP) - Less than a third of Norwegians are in favour of joining the EU, a figure dragged down by the Greek economic crisis and the tension it sparked among Europeans.
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Only 30.6 percent of Norway's inhabitants are in favour of joining the European Union, while 55.8 percent are against it and 13.6 are undecided, a survey by the Norstat institute for public broadcaster NRK showed.
In February, the gap was considerably less, with 38.1 percent in favour of joining the EU and 49.3 against membership.
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and a number of other Norwegian politicians, both in favour and against EU membership, said the change in opinion could be attributed to the Greek economic crisis and the conflicting points of view among European heavyweights on whether or not to assist Greece.
Greece's debt crisis has emerged as oil-rich Norway's economy has started to grow again after a brief recession that lasted only two quarters.
Oil- and gas-rich Norway has rejected EU membership in two referendums, in 1972 and 1994.
The institute polled 1,000 people from March 9 to 15.
Last Updated (Tuesday, 23 March 2010 21:12)
