EFTA Council meets for fifth time in 2026

During the meeting, the Council approved, among other items, the draft summary records of the fourth Council meeting of 2026 and the recent Ministerial meeting. It authorised the Secretary-General to sign the European Co-operation for Accreditation Operating Grant Agreement, and approved technical cooperation activities with Moldova and Kosovo.

The Chair presented Liechtenstein’s priorities for 2026–2027, outlining the main areas of focus for its term as Chair.

With regard to EFTA–EU relations, the Council was briefed on the outcomes of the EFTA Standing Committee (SC) and EEA Joint Committee (JC) meetings held in July, at which 43 Joint Committee Decisions were adopted, incorporating 64 legal acts into the EEA Agreement. The Council also took note of preparations for the upcoming SC and JC meetings scheduled for 23 and 25 September respectively, as well as for the 63rd meeting of the EEA Council, to be held on 17 November. Member States were informed of recent EU policy developments of relevance to EFTA, including the State of the Union (SOTEU) address by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as broader discussions on competitiveness, simplification, industrial resilience, energy security and external relations.

On trade-related matters, the Council reviewed developments across EFTA’s third-country trade agenda. Member States discussed ongoing modernisation processes with Canada and Mexico, the expected signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) with Viet Nam in October, the entry into force of the EFTA–Kosovo FTA, developments concerning MERCOSUR, and progress in the implementation of the EFTA–India Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. The Council also took note of ongoing work on potential trade policy dialogues with the EU and the CPTPP, and cooperation with ASEAN, including the adoption of the EFTA–ASEAN Work Plan for 2026–2030.

The next EFTA Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 3 November.
 

Priorities of the Liechtenstein Chair of the EFTA Council 2026-2027

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