EEA Council news

13.12.2019

EFTA Council adopts the budget for 2020

On 12 December, the ninth and last Council meeting of the year under the Norwegian chairmanship took place in Geneva. Switzerland will take over the rotating EFTA Chair in the first half of 2020.
14.11.2019

EFTA Council discusses relations with third countries

On 14 November, the EFTA Council met for the eighth time in 2019. During the meeting under Norwegian chairmanship, the delegates discussed work with regard to trade relations with third countries and among EFTA States.
13.11.2019

EEA Council to discuss the future of the Single Market

The 52nd meeting of the EEA Council will take place on 19 November 2019 in Brussels. The EEA Council meets twice a year at ministerial level and provides political impetus for the development of the EEA Agreement.
19.09.2019

EFTA Council adopts different rotation for chairmanship

On 19 September, the EFTA Council met for the seventh time in 2019, under the Norwegian Chairmanship. During the meeting, the delegates discussed work with regard to third countries and in particular the finalisation of the negotiations with Mercosur.
19.03.2019

EEA EFTA Prime Ministers will meet all EU leaders to mark 25 years of the EEA

The Prime Ministers of the EEA EFTA States – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway – have been invited as guests to the European Council to mark the 25th anniversary of the European Economic Area, the EEA. On this occasion, the three Prime Ministers will have an opportunity to exchange views with all EU leaders.
23.05.2018

EEA Ministers discuss Brexit and ESAs

At the 49th meeting of the EEA Council, which took place in Brussels on 23 May 2018, EEA EFTA Ministers discussed the implications for the EEA Agreement of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU with their EU counterparts. The European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) were also on the agenda.
30.04.2018

EFTA Council meets in Geneva

Ongoing free trade negotiations and preparations for the upcoming Ministerial meeting were high on the agenda of the third meeting of the EFTA Council in 2018 in Geneva today.
14.11.2017

Advisory bodies discuss EEA affairs and Brexit with EEA EFTA Ministers

On 14 November, 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. This annual meeting takes place in connection with the EEA Council and provides an opportunity for the two advisory bodies to discuss current EEA issues with the Ministers.
14.11.2017

EEA Ministers discuss Brexit and European data economy

At the 48th meeting of the EEA Council, held in Brussels on 14 November 2017, Ministers discussed the European data economy and possible implications of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.
15.11.2016

Ministers brief advisory bodies on developments in the EEA

On 15 November 2016, the EFTA Parliamentary and Consultative Committees met with EEA EFTA Ministers in Brussels. This annual meeting takes place in connection with the EEA Council and provides an opportunity for the two advisory bodies to discuss current issues in the EEA with the Ministers.
15.11.2016

EEA Council discusses collaborative economy in the Single Market

At the 46th meeting of the EEA Council, held in Brussels on 15 November 2016, Ministers discussed cooperation within the European Economic Area, focusing on the importance of maintaining and further developing a homogeneous Internal Market as an engine for growth. An orientation debate was held on the European Commission’s new strategy for the Single Market, including the collaborative economy.
17.11.2015

EEA Council discusses Single Market Strategy

At the 44th meeting of the EEA Council, held in Brussels on 17 November 2015, Ministers discussed the current situation of the cooperation within the EEA, focusing on the importance of maintaining and further developing a homogeneous internal market as an engine for growth throughout the EEA. An orientation debate was held on the European Commission's new strategy for the Single Market.
18.05.2015

EEA Council discusses Digital Agenda and EEA Financial Mechanisms

At the 43rd meeting of the EEA Council, held in Brussels on 18 May 2015, Ministers discussed the current situation of the cooperation within the EEA, focussing on the importance of maintaining and further developing a homogenous internal market as an engine for growth throughout the EEA. An orientation debate was held on the new “Digital Agenda”. The ongoing negotiations for a continuation of the EEA Financial Mechanisms for another term were also discussed.
13.05.2014

41st meeting of the EEA Council

EEA EFTA participation in the European Supervisory Authorities for financial markets, the incorporation of the new generation of EU programmes into the Agreement, and the continuation of the EEA and Norway Financial Mechanisms for another term were among the topics discussed by the EEA Council when it met in Brussels on 13 May 2014.
26.11.2012

Thirty-eighth meeting of the EEA Council in Brussels

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.
14.05.2012

Thirty-seventh meeting of the EEA Council in Brussels

The thirty-seventh meeting of the EEA Council took place in Brussels on 14 May 2012. The EEA Council assessed the overall functioning of the EEA Agreement, including maintaining and enhancing the homogeneity of the EEA; the financial crisis and its implications for EEA cooperation; decision making and shaping; energy and climate change and the operation of the financial mechanisms. The EEA Council held an orientation debate on Strategies for Growth in Europe.
15.11.2011

Thirty-sixth meeting of the EEA Council in Brussels

The thirty-sixth meeting of the EEA Council took place in Brussels on 15 November 2011. At its meeting, the EEA Council assessed the overall functioning of the EEA Agreement, including maintaining and enhancing the homogeneity of the EEA; decision making and shaping; energy and climate change; the financial mechanisms; and the financial crisis and its implications for EEA cooperation, including regulation of the financial system. The EEA Council held an orientation debate on measures taken to address the current economic crisis.
23.05.2011

35th meeting of the EEA Council

At its 35th meeting on 23 May 2011 in Brussels, the EEA Council discussed the overall functioning of the EEA Agreement, Europe 2020, energy and climate change, and the financial crisis and implications for EEA cooperation, including regulation of the financial system. The EEA Council noted the Council Conclusions of December 2010, in particular that EU relations with the EFTA countries, which were already considered to be very good and close in 2008, had further intensified over the past two years.
22.11.2010

34th meeting of the EEA Council

On 22 November 2010, the EEA Council met in Brussels for its 34th meeting. The Council discussed the overall functioning of the EEA Agreement. Special attention was given to the strengthening of the financial system. The Council welcomed the possibility for the EEA EFTA States to participate in the work of the new supervisory authorities in the areas of banking, insurance and securities, and looked forward to the new structure being operational as of January 2011.
10.05.2010

33rd meeting of the EEA Council - Brussels 10 May 2010

The EEA Council met this morning for its 33rd meeting. The Council discussed the overall functioning of the EEA Agreement, with special focus on to how to manage the challenges of the financial crisis. Ministers agreed on the importance of strengthening the regulatory framework, stressing the importance of adequate participation by national authorities of the EEA EFTA States in the new supervisory structure, on an equal footing with the EU countries.