The EEA: A Safe Harbour in the Brexit Storm

Author suggests that following the EU Referendum in the United Kingdom on the 23 June 2016 and the decision for the UK to leave the European Union, pursuing a relationship between the EU and UK based on the European Economic Area would allow both sides to find their footing after the disruption of exit.

(However, note comments from Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg on the 28 June 2016 that she had not concluded whether a British membership in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) would be good for Norway).

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Europe's offer to a post-Brexit Britain http://www.europeansources.info/record/europes-offer-to-a-post-brexit-britain/

ESO: Background information: Can Britain join Norway in the EEA? http://www.europeansources.info/record/can-britain-join-norway-in-the-eea/

ESO: Background information: European Economic Area http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-economic-area-eea/

ESO: Background information: Comparing EU and EFTA Trade Agreements: Drivers, Actors, Benefits, and Costs http://www.europeansources.info/record/comparing-eu-and-efta-trade-agreements-drivers-actors-benefits-and-costs/

The Independent, 01.07.16: Norway model not right for Britain post-Brexit, says Norwegian minister http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/norway-model-not-right-brexit-eu-referendum-uk-single-market-passporting-eea-a7113101.html

Financial Times, 28.06.16: Brexit: The Norway option is the best available for the UK https://next.ft.com/content/eb8dbe8c-3d0c-11e6-9f2c-36b487ebd80a

The Local.no, 28.06.16: Norway won't commit to UK joining EFTA http://www.thelocal.no/20160628/norway-pm-wont-commit-to-uk-joining-efta

Blog: Open Europe, 04.08.16: The UK searches for a post-Brexit plan: is the EEA a viable option? http://openeurope.org.uk/today/blog/uk-searches-post-brexit-plan-eea-viable-option/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 09.08.16: What kind of relationship with the EU is best for the UK economy post-Brexit? http://bit.ly/2aLb5lp

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