EEA Council news

On 12 July, the EFTA Council met in a hybrid format to discuss EFTA-EU cooperation, work regarding third countries, horizontal issues, and to exchange views on policy developments.

On 20 May 2019, the EEA Council convened in Brussels for its 51st meeting to discuss the overall functioning of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement), as well as climate change and the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

On 22 March, the Prime Ministers of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway met leaders of all EU Member States at the European Council, to mark the 25th anniversary of the European Economic Area, the EEA.

The 50th EEA Council will take place on 20 November 2018 in Brussels. The EEA Council meets twice a year at ministerial level and provides political impetus for the development of the EEA Agreement.

The EFTA Council met on 18 September for its seventh meeting in 2018.

The 49th EEA Council will take place on 23 May 2018 in Brussels. The EEA Council meets twice a year at ministerial level and provides political impetus for the development of the EEA Agreement.

The EFTA Council met for the second time under Icelandic Chairmanship in 2018 in Geneva.

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.

On 12 October, the Advisory Board of the European co-operation for Accreditation met for the 38th time in the EFTA Secretariat in Brussels.

Liechtenstein, holding the rotating EFTA Council Chair for the next six months, presented its priorities at the Council meeting on 13 July.

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.

On 11 February 2016, the EFTA Council met in Geneva. Switzerland, holding the rotating Council chair for the first half of the year, presented its priorities.

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.

The EFTA autumn Ministerial meeting that will take place in Switzerland was prominent on the agenda of the EFTA Council which met for the sixth time this year on 2 October 2014.

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.

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.

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.