The EEA EFTA Forum was set up by a decision of the Standing Committee of the EFTA States as an informal body to involve elected representatives from local and regional authorities in EEA matters. The Forum works closely with other EEA EFTA bodies and has established links with the Committee of the Regions of the European Union, an EU advisory body that was established in 1994 just after the signing of the EEA Agreement.
The Forum has twelve full members, six from Iceland and six from Norway. Switzerland observes the meeting but Liechtenstein has decided not to take part for the time being.
Members of the Forum
Iceland
Ms Guðveig A. Eyglóardóttir, President of the Regional Municipal Federation of West Iceland
Ms Jóhanna Ösp Einarsdóttir, President of the Regional Municipal Federation of the Westfjords
Mr Guðmundur Haukur Jakobsson, President of the Regional Municipal Federation of North-West Iceland
Ms Regína Ásvaldsdóttir, President of the Association of Municipalities in the Capital Area
Ms Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Mayor and board member of the Icelandic Association of Local Authorities
Ms Þórdís Lóa Þórhallsdóttir, Deputy-Mayor, Reykjavík City
Norway
Members
Ms Kari-Anne Opsal, Mayor, Harstad municipality
Mr Petter Sortland, Mayor, Høyanger municipality
Ms Beate Marie Dahl Eide, Mayor, Seljord municipality
Ms Gunhild Berge Stang, Member of the municipal council, Fjaler municipality
Ms Hilde Onarheim, Member of the city council, Bergen municipality
Ms Tom Myrvold, Member of the municipal council, Ørland municipality
Substitutes
Mr Ådne Naper, Member of the county council, Vestfold and Telemark county
Mr Svein Larsen, Member of the city council, Sarpsborg
Mr Arne Bergsvåg, Deputy Mayor of Rogaland county
Mr Hallstein Bjercke, Member of the city council, Oslo municipality
Ms Gunn Marit Helgesen, Member of the county council, Vestfold and Telemark county
Mr Tore Opdal Hansen, Member of the county council, Viken county
Switzerland (Observer)
Mr David Eray, Canton of Jura
Mr Didier Castella, Canton of Fribourg
Opinions adopted by the Forum
- Opinion on Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, 2 December 2022
- Opinion on pay transparency and equal pay, 2 December 2022
- Opinion on the Proposal for a Directive on adequate minimum wages in the European Union
- Opinion on the notification procedure under the service directive, 12-13 December 2019
- Opinion on European initiatives in relation to threats to democracy, prevention of radicalisation and hate speech towards elected representatives, 12-13 December 2019
- Opinion on the ethics guidelines for a trustworthy Artificial Intelligence
- Opinion on the European Commission's Reflection Paper on a sustainable Europe by 2030
- Opinion on the protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union Law (Whistle-blower protection)
- Opinion on European cooperation programmes 2021-2027 and the participation of the local and regional level in the EEA EFTA States
- Opinion on future climate and energy action in the context of the 2018 Katowice UN Climate Conference (COP 24), 28-29 June 2018
- Opinion on Equal Pay and Work-Life Balance for Parents and Carers, 28-29 June 2018
- Opinion on Erasmus for local and regional representatives , 16-17 November 2017
- Opinion on Data Economy, 16-17 November 2017
- Opinion on the collaborative economy, 15-16 June 2017
- Opinion on a New Skills Agenda for Europe, 14-15 November 2016
- EU Circular Economy Package, 6-7 June 2016
- EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021, 6-7 June 2016
- Local climate measures in the context of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21), 16-17 November 2015
- Free movement of persons and migration in the EEA- the social aspects at local and regional level, 11-12 June 2015
- Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – TTIP, 24-25 November 2014
- Green Employment Initiative and the circular economy, 24-25 November 2014
- Challenges and opportunities for local and regional authorities in a changing arctic, 26-27 June 2014
- 2030 framework for climate and energy policies, 26-27 June 2014
- Revised EU Directive on the re-use of public sector information, 18-19 November 2013
- Revision of European waste policy, legislation and targets, 18-19 November 2013
- European Port Policy review, 20-21 June 2013
- Review of European State Aid Framework, 20-21 June 2013
- EEA & Norway Financial Mechanisms, 20-21 June 2013
- Labour Migration within the EEA and impact on the local and regional level, 26-27 November 2012
- Data Protection Reform, 26-27 November 2012
- European Cooperation Programmes 2014 - 2020, 26-27 November 2012
- European Rules on Environmental Impact Assessment, 21-22 June 2012
- Review of the EEA Agreement, 21-22 June 2012
- European Draft Directive on Energy Efficiency, 14-15 November 2011
- Public Services in the EEA Context, 14-15 November 2011
- Modernisation of EU Public Procurement Policy, 31 May - 1 June 2011
- Multilevel Governance in the EEA, 31 May - 1 June 2011
- Management of Biowaste in the EEA, 25 November 2010