• Advisory bodies meet EEA EFTA Ministers to discuss EEA   27.11.2012
    Chair of the EFTA CC, Mr Halldór Grönvold and Chair of the MPS, Mr Harry Quaderer

    On 26 November 2012, the EEA EFTA Ministers, the Committee of Members of Parliament of the EFTA States (MPS) and the EFTA Consultative Committee (EFTA CC) met at the EFTA Secretariat in Brussels. The Foreign Ministers came directly from the EEA Council meeting to brief the parliamentarians and social partners on the outcome of that meeting and to exchange views on the main issues currently on the agenda in the EEA.

  • Thirty-eighth meeting of the EEA Council in Brussels   26.11.2012
    Espen Barth-Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Norway chairing the EEA Council. To his right, Aurelia Frick, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Liechtenstein.

    The thirty-eighth meeting of the EEA Council took place in Brussels on 26 November 2012. In light of the 20th anniversary of the Single Market at the end of this year, the EEA Council recognised with satisfaction that the EEA Agreement has been a durable instrument in ensuring the smooth functioning of the European Economic Area. The EEA Council held an orientation debate on Trade and Regulatory Cooperation with EEA Neighbours.

  • EEA EFTA Comment on the revision of the Blue Guide   16.11.2012

    On 15 November 2012, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway submitted an EEA EFTA Comment to the EU on the Commission’s upcoming revision of the “Blue Guide”, the guide to EU legislation on industrial products. The countries underline that through the EEA Agreement, the internal market is extended to the European Economic Area, which also needs to be reflected in the guide.

  • Protection of the Ozone Layer   26.10.2012
    Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will not only be in line with the long-term goals of the Montreal Protocol, but will also go beyond it. Together with the European Union they will continue to lead by example.

    The European Union has a strong commitment to protect the ozone layer and has put in place legislation that is among the strictest and most advanced in the world. Following a decision of the EEA Joint Committee on 26 October 2012 incorporating the EU regulation on substances depleting the ozone layer into the EEA Agreement, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will not only be in line with the long-term goals of the Montreal Protocol, but will also go beyond it. Together with the European Union they will continue to lead by example.

  • EFTA Standing and EEA Joint Committees meet on 26 October 2012   26.10.2012
    Ambassador Atle Leikvoll, Mission of Norway to the EU, chairing the meeting of the EEA Joint Committe on 26 October 2012

    The EFTA Standing Committee and EEA Joint Committee met in Brussels on 26 October. Norway was Chair for both of the Standing Committee and on behalf of the EEA EFTA States of the Joint Committee.

  • Too many CO2 allowances on the market?   17.10.2012

    In a joint comment to the on-going review of the auctioning of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway believe that it may be necessary to withdraw permanently a substantial amount of allowances from the system to ensure a sufficient high price level and a subsequent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the long run.

  • Highlights from the Subcommittees I-II-III-IV meeting and the Joint Subcommittees I-II-III-IV meeting on 16 October 2012   17.10.2012

    The Subcommittees met with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and discussed the state of play of outstanding acts for incorporation into the EEA Agreement, parliamentary procedures for adopted EEA Joint Committee Decisions and a number of draft EEA Joint Committee Decisions currently under discussion with the EU. An EEA EFTA Comment on the proposal for a Regulation on a Common European Sales Law was noted.

  • Better protection of consumer rights and new rules for online shopping   28.09.2012

    Following the incorporation into the EEA Agreement of a new Consumer Rights Directive on 28 September 2012, consumers rights in the EEA EFTA States will be strengthened, especially when purchases are made at a distance - such as online - or away from the sellers' business premises.

  • New deal to cut mobile roaming prices   28.09.2012
    New deal to cut mobile roaming prices

    The cost of using mobile phones, smartphones and tablets when travelling abroad within the EU and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will fall sharply, following the incorporation into the EEA Agreement of the regulation on roaming on public communications networks on 28 September 2012.

  • EFTA Standing and EEA Joint Committees meet on 27 and 28 September 2012   28.09.2012
    Gianluca Grippa, Head of Division, European External Action Service and Atle Leikvoll, Norwegian Ambassador to the EU.

    The EFTA Standing Committee and EEA Joint Committee met in Brussels on 27 and 28 September, respectively. Norway was Chair both of the Standing Committee and, on behalf of the EEA EFTA States, of the Joint Committee.