EFTA Council discusses relations with partners outside European Union

The Council reviewed EFTA’s recent activities with partners outside the European Union, including the meeting with Central American Countries (Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) in Panama City on 23 March. The parties explored the possibility of establishing closer trade relations and concurred to discuss further steps in the near future.

The first rounds of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, held respectively in Sarajevo and Podgorica in March, were also reviewed. In both cases it was agreed to focus on the liberalisation and facilitation of trade in goods.

The Council further discussed the second round of free trade negotiations with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in Almaty in April. The talks allowed for good progress, exchange of information and the establishment of joint texts. The next round will be held in August 2011 in Switzerland.

The Council also discussed arrangements for the Ministerial meeting in Schaan, Liechtenstein, on 21 June.

The next Council meeting will take place on 7 June 2011.