The government of Norway said Friday that it wants to secure its citizens' rights in case Britain leaves the European Union (EU) without an agreement.

The Norwegian government said in a statement that it has asked the parliament for consent to enter into an agreement between the EEA /EFTA states -- Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway -- and Britain.

"From the government's side, we hope that the UK will have an orderly exit from the EU. We must, however, be prepared for the UK to opt out of the EU without a withdrawal agreement," Norwegian Minister of Justice and Immigration Tor Mikkel Wara was quoted as saying.

According to the minister, ensuring rights to residence permit for both Norwegian and British citizens in Norway and Britain is very important, as well as to keep them regulated by the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement.

The agreement will ensure that Norwegian citizens who reside in Britain together with their family members at the time of British withdrawal from the EU can continue to live there and essentially maintain the same rights as today.

The same rights should apply to the British citizens who are in Norway, the statement said.

The agreement also ensures keeping earned social security rights before Britain's withdrawal according to the EEA law's provisions on social security coordination.