Norwegian PM tells ITV News: UK's 'self-image' cannot tolerate not being full member of EU

As David Cameron attempts to broker a deal to reform Britain's relationship with the EU, there have been some suggestions that the UK could follow the so-called "Norwegian model".

Norway is not a member of the EU but enjoys close relations. It also participates in the single market under the European Economic Area agreement which includes the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital.

But speaking to ITV News, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg is not convinced that a similar relationship would work for Britain instead of being a full member.

She told ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland: "Norway is a small country, we are dependent on large countries, so we know that we have to give way some of our sovereignty."

"We are adapting to all the measures decided in the EU concerning the internal market but we have no decision participation in it."

"To be honest, I don't think the British self image will tolerate that", she added.

Migration and the Schengen Agreement

On the issue of migration and the influx of asylum seekers in the past year, Ms Solberg said it was a "troubling time" for the Schengen Agreement of which Norway is part of, that allows passport-free movement across Europe.

"We are waiting to get Europe to do something about not registering people who come in through the outer borders of Schengen."

She added, "It doesn't function, if they aren't registered we don't know who is coming" when they arrive at the last part of the route in the northern part of Europe