EFTA 50 Years

EFTA 50 Years In 2010, the European Free Trade Association celebrates its 50th anniversary. The EFTA Convention was signed on 4 January 1960, and entered into force on 3 May of the same year. In connection with the 50th Anniversary  of EFTA  and the 15th anniversary of the EEA Agreement, which entered into force in 1994, EFTA organised a seminar  in November 2009 in Geneva, entitled Partners in Progress. EFTA will publish a book in May with material from the seminar. The book will also contain new essays on EFTA as well as articles from earlier EFTA publications that illuminate the history and functions of the association  and its contribution to the post-war economic and political integration of Europe. During 2010, new and old material and photographs will be made available on our website.

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News

ESO visits Statistics Norway
10.03.2010

Representatives from the EFTA Statistical Office visited Statistics Norway last week.

EFTA Consultative Committee discusses relationship between trade and labour and trade and environment 10.03.2010

The EFTA Consultative Committee yesterday met in Brussels to discuss latest developments in EFTA and the EEA. Members focused especially on international trade issues including EFTA's third country relations, with specific emphasis on the relationship between trade and labour and trade and environment.

EFTA seminar on network neutrality and next generation access networks26.02.2010

On 16 March 2010 the EFTA Secretariat is organising a seminar on network neutrality and Next Generation Access Networks. The aim of the seminar is to showcase initiatives in the EFTA states and allow for a discussion between policymakers, regulators and industry on two issues that are central to the development of ICT services in the coming years.

 

Downward trend in 2009 for nights spent at hotels and similar establishments in EFTA countries23.02.2010

The number of nights spent in hotels and similar establishments fell in each quarter in 2009 compared with 2008 for all EFTA countries.

EFTA and Ukraine meet for fourth round of free trade negotiations 22.02.2010

Negotiations on a broad-based Free Trade Agreement between the EFTA States (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) and Ukraine were continued on 16-19 February 2010 in Kyiv.

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Publications

A short introduction to 50 Years of EFTA
A short history of EFTA
This is EFTA 2009
This is EFTA 2009

This publication is an overview of EFTA's activities and institutional framework.

Annual Report 2008

48th Annual Report of the European Free Trade Association, 2008.

EEA Decision Shaping

EFTA Bulletin number 1, 2009.

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EFTA Surveillance Authorityeea grantsEFTA Court
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental organisation set up for the promotion of free trade and economic integration to the benefit of its four Member States: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The Association manages the EFTA Convention; EFTA’s worldwide network of free trade and partnership agreements, and the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement.

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Upcoming events

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Spring Seminar on the EEA: Brussels 27 and 28 May 2010

Approaches to bilateral free trade agreements: EFTA and the EU

We are pleased to announce that the programme for this spring’s Seminar on the EEA is now available. 

The two-day seminar will be held on 27 and 28 May at the EFTA Secretariat in Brussels.

The aim of the seminar is to provide professionals in both the public and private sectors with an overview of the EEA Agreement and how it works in practice.

The second day of the seminar will be dedicated to trade policy, focusing on the approaches taken by EFTA and the EU to bilateral free trade agreements.

Please follow the link to view a copy of the programme. Registration for the seminar can be completed through the online registration form.

For more information regarding the event, please contact:

Lisbeth Mjøs
E-mail: lmj@efta.int
Phone: +32 (0)2 286 17 72