Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Norway becomes a founding member of the UN. This membership would later
provide a platform for Norwegian foreign policy, with Norway an important mediat-
or in numerous international conflicts.
1949
Norway joins NATO and aligns itself with the USA despite fears in the West that
left-leaning Norway would turn towards the Soviet Union.
1950s
A Norwegian government commission declares that 'the chances of finding oil on
the continental shelf off the Norwegian coast can be discounted'. How wrong they
were.
Late 1960s
Oil is discovered, transforming Norway into one of the richest countries in the world.
Oil revenues have provided the basis for an all-encompassing system of social wel-
fare and generous foreign aid.
1993
In defiance of international opinion and contrary to a 1986 moratorium, Norway re-
sumes commercial whaling operations, thereby complicating its claims to be a model
environmental citizen.
1994
Norwegians vote against joining the EU. The 'no' vote (52%) draws on the concerns
of family farms, fishing interests and the perceived loss of national sovereignty that
membership would supposedly bring.
2001
A rare victory for a conservative-liberal coalition after the Labour-led government
suffers a massive fall in its vote in national elections; no single party wins enough
votes to form government.
2005
A 'red-green' coalition wins parliamentary elections, overturning a conservative-led
coalition government that had won power in 2001.
2009
A centre-left coalition led by Jens Stoltenberg, who had led Labour to its 2001 elec-
tion defeat, wins closely contested parliamentary elections.
