EFTA’s flagship seminar draws close to 600 participants

“While we may occasionally have taken the EEA Agreement for granted due to its deep integration in our daily lives, recent developments have reminded us of its critical importance and the great value of the EEA cooperation to our countries”, said Liechtenstein’s Ambassador to the EU and Chair of the EFTA Standing Committee, Pascal Schafhauser.

On 12 March 2025, the EFTA Secretariat held its flagship event on the European Economic Area.

A total of 140 people attended the EEA Seminar in person at EFTA House in Brussels, while around 450 people followed the seminar online via the livestream.

With new EU leadership and shifting geopolitical priorities, this edition focused on how the EEA Agreement translates from framework to function while addressing major policy shifts in Brussels.

Experts from the EFTA Secretariat, EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA), EFTA Court, and EEA and Norway Grants delivered presentations on how the EEA Agreement functions in practice, offering valuable insights into its role in Europe’s internal market.

Ambassador Schafhauser shared the EEA EFTA States’ perspective on their role and priorities, while Matúš Minárik, EEA Policy Coordinator at the European Commission, outlined the view from the EU on cooperation with the EEA EFTA States.

The programme explored how the EEA EFTA States were preparing for the priorities of the new Commission in the changing geopolitical landscape, with inputs from EFTA experts and Politico trade reporter Koen Verhelst.

Finally, participants at EFTA House were invited to join one of four breakout sessions led by experts from EFTA, ESA and the EFTA Court. These sessions provided an opportunity to engage in discussions on some of the most pressing EEA topics:

From Framework to Function: How EU law becomes EEA law

From Framework to Function: A deep dive into the two-pillar system

EEA Enforcement: Surveillance and judicial control

Brussels in Transition: Shaping the EEA of the future

The EFTA Secretariat would like to thank all speakers, panellists and participants for their engagement and insightful discussions throughout the seminar.

The next EEA Seminar will take place at EFTA House and online on 25 September. Sign up here to be notified when registration opens.

Photos

Livestream

Seminar material:

Unveiling the Magic Behind the EEA Agreement

From EU Law to EEA Law

EEA Enforcement: EFTA Surveillance Authority and EFTA Court

Parliamentarians, Social Partners and Local/Regional Representation in the EEA

EEA and Norway Grants Reduce Disparities and Strengthen Cooperation in Europe

How the EEA EFTA States can Influence EU Law-making

Influencing new EU Programmes