David Cameron rejects Nordic approach to EU

David Cameron will use a summit of Nordic countries in Iceland today to make the case for Britain’s place in the European single market.

He is scheduled to hold talks with the leaders of both Iceland and Norway at the two-day Northern Future Forum.

Mr Cameron’s spokeswoman confirmed the summit in Iceland – which also includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden – presents an opportunity to hold discussions about Britain’s EU re-negotiation ahead of the in/out referendum.

RELATED CONTENT

EU nationals to be excluded from in/out referendum

EU vote will not be a yes/no choice

Nick Clegg: EU no vote could lead to Scottish independence

"He has been clear that he thinks there are reforms we can secure to address the concerns of the British people and that it is the UK's interest to be in a reformed EU," she said.

The news was applauded by the European Movement in Scotland, who are campaigning to stay in the EU. 

Chairman Derek Hammersley said: “Norway has no seat at the negotiating table. It has no veto in the European Council, no votes in the EU's council of ministers, no MEPs or votes in the European Parliament, and no European commissioner to help.

“With just under half of Scotland’s international exports (46%) destined for the EU, on which over 330,000 Scottish jobs are dependent, a Norwegian-style situation would mean that there would be little influence over the rules that determine this market."

In response to the news the Prime Minister was planning to tackle the so-called "Norway-style" concept of trading with the EU, a spokesperson for Vote Leave told Holyrood's sister site  PoliticsHome the Government was now “explicitly fighting the ‘In’ campaign’s corner”.

“No. 10 has dropped any semblance of neutrality,” the spokesperson added.

The UK will hold a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU before the end of 2017.