[38] It allows the EFTA-EEA states to participate in the EU's Internal Market without being members of the EU. The Secretariat employs approximately 100 staff members, of whom a third are based in Geneva and two-thirds in Brussels and Luxembourg. The Portugal Fund came into operation in February 1977 when Portugal was still a member of EFTA. The Fund originally took the form of a low-interest loan from the EFTA member states to the value of US$100 million. Greenland was covered by the EFTA membership from 1961 and the Faroe Islands from 1968. Questions relating to the EEA are dealt with by the Standing Committee in Brussels. [47], EFTA member states' citizens enjoy freedom of movement in each other's territories in accordance with the EFTA convention. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a regional trade organization and free trade area consisting of four European states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Special procedures for the accession of States are laid down in accordance with Article 56 of the EFTA Convention. An attorney with bar association memberships in 2 states seeking complex challenges at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a General Attorney. Browse our resources pages to learn more, and make sure to follow us on Facebook (AEAjournals) and Twitter (@AEAjournals). [18], As the EEA memberships are currently only open to the EFTA or EU members, the consent of the existing EFTA member states is required for the microstates to join the EEA without becoming members of the EU. In Greenland there has been a political debate about whether the Government of Greenland consider filing for membership of the EFTA. The day-to-day running of the Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General, Henri Gétaz, who is assisted by two Deputy Secretaries-General, one based in Geneva and the other in Brussels. Norway's European affairs minister, Elisabeth Vik Aspaker, told the Aftenposten newspaper: "It’s not certain that it would be a good idea to let a big country into this organization. EFTA also originated the Hallmarking Convention and the Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention, both of which are open to non-EFTA states. [3] To participate in the EU's single market, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway are parties to the Agreement on a European Economic Area (EEA), with compliances regulated by the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the EFTA Court. [27] According to Article 56 of the EFTA Convention, only states may become members of the EFTA. The RCEP negotiations commenced in early 2013. Switzerland has a set of bilateral agreements with the EU instead. [5] A revised Convention, the Vaduz Convention, was signed on 21 June 2001 and entered into force on 1 June 2002.[6]. Member group. The Soybean Processors Association of India, popularly known as SOPA, is the only national level body representing the soybean processors, farmers, exporters and brokers in India working towards the aim to strengthen soybeans as a viable crop. EFTA nationals and EU citizens are not only visa-exempt but are legally entitled to enter and reside in each other's countries. A trade union is a formal form of association of workers that promotes the harmonious relationship between employer and employees. They adopt almost all EU legislation related to the single market, except laws on agriculture and fisheries. APA. EFTA is governed by the EFTA Council and serviced by the EFTA Secretariat. EFTA assumes that membership is reserved for states. In late 2016, the Scottish First Minister said that her priority was to keep the whole of the UK in the European single market but that taking Scotland alone into the EEA was an option being "looked at". The division of the Secretariat reflects the division of EFTA's activities. However, during the negotiations for the EEA agreement, the European Court of Justice informed the Council of the European Union by way of letter that it considered that it would be a violation of the treaties to give to the EU institutions these powers with respect to non-EU member states. In August 2012, the 16 Economic Ministers endorsed the Guiding Principles and Objectives for Negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. The remaining options, EEA membership and a FAA with the states, were found to be viable and were recommended by the commission. It would shift the balance, which is not necessarily in Norway’s interests."[32]. The cooperation also entails technical cooperation programmes with third countries and training of European statisticians. The Association of Independent Celebrants (AOIC) is a Trade Association for professional Celebrants across the UK and overseas. The Secretariat also assists the Member States in the elaboration of input to EU decision making. The United Kingdom was a co-founder of EFTA in 1960, but ceased to be a member upon joining the European Economic Community. [4] They are not, however, party to the European Union Customs Union. In addition, in connection with the EEA Agreement of 1992, two other EFTA organisations were established, the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the EFTA Court. The two duty stations work together closely to implement the Vaduz Convention's stipulations on the intra-EFTA Free Trade Area. At the time of the first referendum in 1972, their neighbour, Denmark joined. During the 1960s, these countries were often referred to as the "Outer Seven", as opposed to the Inner Six of the then European Economic Community (EEC).[8]. The Kingdom of Denmark was a founding member of EFTA in 1960, but its membership ceased with effect from 1973, when Denmark joined the European Communities. The EEA and Norway Grants are administered by the Financial Mechanism Office, which is affiliated to the EFTA Secretariat in Brussels. The Council usually meets eight times a year at the ambassadorial level (heads of permanent delegations to EFTA) and twice a year at Ministerial level. [17] Unlike Liechtenstein, which is a member of the EEA via the EFTA and the Schengen Agreement, relations with these three states are based on a collection of agreements covering specific issues. Repayment was originally to commence in 1988, however, EFTA then decided to postpone the start of repayments until 1998. The EFTA Surveillance Authority and the EFTA Court regulate the activities of the EFTA members in respect of their obligations in the European Economic Area (EEA).
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