The Progress Party was for many years open to a referendum on Norwegian membership of the European Union, although only if a majority of the public opinion was seen to favour it beforehand.[162] The party eventually grew to consider membership of Norway in the European Union to be a "non-issue", believing there to be no reason for a debate of a new referendum.[163] In 2016, the party officially adopted a position against Norwegian membership in the EU.[26] The party regards NATO to be a positive basic element of Norway's defense, security and foreign policy. It also wants to strengthen transatlantic relations in general, and Norway's relationship with the United States more specifically.[164] The party considers its international policy to "follow in the footsteps of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher."[165]