European Free Trade Association

"EFTA" redirects here. For other uses, see EFTA (disambiguation).

European Free Trade Association Association européenne de libre-échange (AELE)  (French) Europäische Freihandelsassoziation  (German) Fríverslunarsamtök Evrópu  (Icelandic) Associazione europea di libero scambio  (Italian) Associaziun europeica da commerzi liber  (Romansh) Det europeiske frihandelsforbund  (Norwegian)
Map of Europe with EFTA members highlighted in green.
Secretariat		Geneva, Switzerland
Official working language		English
Type		Trade bloc
Member states		Iceland Liechtenstein Norway Switzerland
Leaders
-	Secretary General	Kristinn F. Árnason
-	EFTA Council Chair	Iceland
Establishment		3 May 1960
-	EFTA Convention	4 January 1960
Area
-	Total	529,600 km2 204,518 sq mi
Population
-	2012 estimate	13,389,956
-	Density	100.6/km2 59.82/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2011 IMF estimate
-	Total	$623.5 billion
-	Per capita	$44,828
GDP (nominal)		2011 IMF estimate
-	Total	$1138.8 billion
-	Per capita	$58,714
Currency		Króna kr ISK Franc Fr. CHF Krone kr NOK Franc Fr. CHF
Time zone		WET / CET (UTC+0 / +1)
-	Summer (DST)	WEST / CEST (UTC+1 / +2)
Calling code		see list  Iceland +354 Liechtenstein +423 Norway +47 Switzerland +41
Website efta.int

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a free trade organisation between four European countries that operates in parallel with – and is linked to – the European Union (EU). The EFTA was established on 3 May 1960 as a trade bloc-alternative for European states who were either unable or unwilling to join the then-European Economic Community (EEC) which has now become the EU. The Stockholm Convention, establishing the EFTA, was signed on 4 January 1960 in the Swedish capital by seven countries (known as the "outer seven").

Today's EFTA members are Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, of which the latter two were founding members. The initial Stockholm Convention was superseded by the Vaduz Convention, which enabled greater liberalisation of trade among the member states.

EFTA states have jointly concluded free trade agreements with a number of other countries. Three of the EFTA countries are part of the European Union Internal Market through the Agreement on a European Economic Area (EEA), which took effect in 1994; the fourth, Switzerland, opted to conclude bilateral agreements with the EU. In 1999, Switzerland concluded a set of bilateral agreements with the European Union covering a wide range of areas, including movement of people, transport, and technical barriers to trade. This development prompted the EFTA states to modernise their Convention to ensure that it will continue to provide a successful framework for the expansion and liberalization of trade among themselves and with the rest of the world.

History

British reaction to the creation of the EEC was mixed and complex. Britain was also preoccupied with the Commonwealth, which, at the time of EFTA's formation, was in transition. Britain therefore brought together several countries, including some bordering the EEC, to form the European Free Trade Association soon after the establishment of the six-nation EEC (France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands).

On 4 January 1960, the Treaty on European Free Trade Association was initialled in the Golden Hall of the Prince's Palace of Stockholm. This established the progressive elimination of customs duties on industrial products, but did not affect agricultural products or maritime trade.

The main difference between the early EEC and the EFTA was the absence of a common external customs tariff, and therefore each EFTA member was free to establish individual customs duties against trade with non EFTA countries.

Despite this modest initiative, the financial results were excellent, as it stimulated an increase of foreign trade volume among its members from 3.5 to 8.2 billion US dollars between 1959 and 1967. This was rather less than the increase enjoyed by countries inside the EEC.

After the accession of Denmark and the UK to the EEC, EFTA began to falter. For this reason most countries eased or eliminated their trade tariffs in preparation to join the EEC, but experienced declining revenue which reduced the importance of EFTA. Four members remain: Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009 due to the 2008–2012 Icelandic financial crisis.

Membership

History

  EFTA member states.

  Former members, now EU member states.

The founding members of EFTA were Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. 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).

Finland became an associate member in 1961 (becoming a full member in 1986) and Iceland joined in 1970. The United Kingdom and Denmark joined the EEC in 1973, and hence ceased to be EFTA members. Portugal also left EFTA for the European Community in 1986. Liechtenstein joined in 1991 (previously its interests in EFTA had been represented by Switzerland). Austria, Sweden and Finland joined the EU in 1995 and thus ceased to be EFTA members.

Twice, in 1973 and 1995, Norway has tried to join the EU (still the EEC in 1973) and by doing so, leave the EFTA. Both times, membership of the EU was rejected in national referenda, keeping Norway in the EFTA. Iceland currently is in negotiations as a candidate for EU membership. If they were to complete negotiations and all countries ratified the accession treaty, they would leave the EFTA and join the EU.

Current members

Flag	State	Official name	Accession	Population	Area (km²)	Capital	GDP in millions (PPP)	GDP per capita (PPP)
	Iceland	Republic of Iceland	01970-01-011 January 1970	7005320000000000000320,000	7005103000000000000103,000	Reykjavík	11,837	36,681
	Liechtenstein	Principality of Liechtenstein	01991-01-011 January 1991	700434247000000000034,247	7002160400000000000160.4	Vaduz	4,160	122,100
	Norway	Kingdom of Norway	01960-05-033 May 1960	70065038137000000005,038,137	7005385155000000000385,155	Oslo	255,505	52,238
	Switzerland	Swiss Confederation*	01960-05-033 May 1960	70068000000000000008,000,000	700441285000000000041,285	Bern	325,305	41,765

* or Confoederatio Helvetica

Membership history

Flag	State	Accession	Left EFTA	Notes
	Austria	1960	1995
	Denmark	1960	1973
	Finland	1986	1995
	Iceland	1970		EU candidate for membership in negotiations since 2010.
	Liechtenstein	1991
	Norway	1960		EU membership was rejected in referendums held in 1972 and again in 1994.
	Portugal	1960	1986
	Sweden	1960	1995
	Switzerland	1960		EU membership application was suspended after voters rejected the EEA agreement in 1992.
	United Kingdom	1960	1973	Considering redefining their relationship with the EU, which may result in their withdrawal from the EU to rejoin the EFTA.

Future

Members of the European Union (blue) and
EFTA (green).

The Norwegian electorate has rejected treaties of accession to the EU in two referenda. At the time of the first referendum (1972) their neighbour Denmark joined. The second time (1994) two other Nordic neighbours, Sweden and Finland, joined the EU. The last two governments of Norway have been unable and unwilling to advance the question, as they have both been coalition governments consisting of proponents and opponents.

Since Switzerland rejected the EEA in 1992, referenda on EU membership have been initiated, the last time in 2001. These were rejected by clear majorities.

Iceland may join the EU in the near future, following the global financial crisis of 2008, which has particularly affected the local economy. On 16 July 2009, the government formally applied for EU membership.

EFTA membership has been discussed regarding Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, Isle of Man, Morocco, Turkey, Israel and other ENP partners.

In mid-2005, representatives of the Faroe Islands hinted at the possibility of their territory joining EFTA. However, the chances of the Faroes' bid for membership are uncertain because, according to Article 56 of the EFTA Convention, only states may become members of the Association. The Faroes already have an extensive bilateral free trade agreement with Iceland, known as the Hoyvík Agreement.

In November 2012, after the Council of the European Union had called for an evaluation of the EU's relations with the sovereign European microstates of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino, which they described as "fragmented", the European Commission published a report outlining options for their further integration into the EU. 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. The report examined four alternatives to the current situation: 1) a Sectoral Approach with separate agreements with each state covering an entire policy area, 2) a comprehensive, multilateral Framework Association Agreement (FAA) with the three states, 3) EEA membership, and 4) EU membership. The Commission argued that the sectoral approach did not address the major issues and was still needlessly complicated, while EU membership was dismissed in the near future because "the EU institutions are currently not adapted to the accession of such small-sized countries." The remaining options, EEA membership and a FAA with the states, were found to be viable and were recommended by the Commission. In response, the Council requested that negotiations with the three microstates on further integration continue, and that a report be prepared by the end of 2013 detailing the implications of the two viable alternatives and recommendations on how to proceed.

As EEA membership is currently only open to EFTA or EU members, the consent of existing EFTA member states is required for the microstates to join the EEA without becoming members of the EU. In 2011, Jonas Gahr Støre, the then Foreign Minister of Norway which is an EFTA member state, said that EFTA/EEA membership for the microstates was not the appropriate mechanism for their integration into the internal market due to their different requirements than large countries such as Norway, and suggested that a simplified association would be better suited for them. Espen Barth Eide, Støre's successor, responded to the Commission's report in late 2012 by questioning whether the microstates have sufficient administrative capabilities to meet the obligations of EEA membership. However, he stated that Norway was open to the possibility of EFTA membership for the microstates if they decide to submit an application, and that the country had not made a final decision on the matter. Pascal Schafhauser, the Counsellor of the Liechtenstein Mission to the EU, said that Liechtenstein, another EFTA member state, was willing to discuss EEA membership for the microstates provided their joining did not impede the functioning of the organization. However, he suggested that the option direct membership in the EEA for the microstates, outside of both the EFTA and the EU, should be given consideration.

General Secretaries

• 1960–1965: Frank E. Figgures
• 1965–1972: Sir John Coulson
• 1972–1975: Bengt Rabaeus
• 1976–1981: Charles Müller
• 1981–1988: Per Kleppe
• 1988–1994: Georg Reisch
• 1994–2000: Kjartan Jóhannsson
• 2000–2006: William Rossier
• 2006-2012: Kåre Bryn
• Since 2012: Kristinn F. Árnason

Institutions

EFTA is governed by the EFTA Council and serviced by the EFTA Secretariat. In addition, in connection with the EEA Agreement of 1992, two other EFTA organisations were established, the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the EFTA Court.

EEA-related institutions

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). Since Switzerland is not an EEA member, it does not participate in these institutions.

The EFTA Surveillance Authority performs the European Commission's role as "guardian of the treaties" for the EFTA countries, while the EFTA Court performs the European Court of Justice's role for those countries.

The original plan for the EEA lacked the EFTA Court or the EFTA Surveillance Authority, the European Court of Justice and the European Commission were to exercise those roles. 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 they considered that giving the EU institutions powers with respect to non-EU member states would be a violation of the treaties, and therefore the current arrangement was developed instead.

The EEA and Norway Grants are administered by the Financial Mechanism Office, which is affiliated to the EFTA Secretariat in Brussels.

Locations

The EFTA Secretariat is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The EFTA Surveillance Authority has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium (the same location as the headquarters of the European Commission), while the EFTA Court has its headquarters in Luxembourg (the same location as the headquarters of the European Court of Justice).

Portugal Fund

The Portugal Fund was established in 1975 when Portugal was still a member of EFTA, to provide funding for the development and reconstruction of Portugal after the Carnation Revolution. When Portugal left EFTA in 1985 to join the EEC, the remaining EFTA members decided to nonetheless continue the Portugal Fund, so Portugal would continue to benefit from it. The Fund originally took the form of a low-interest loan from the EFTA member states to Portugal, to the value of 100 million US dollars. Repayment was originally to commence in 1988, but EFTA then decided to postpone the start of repayments until 1998. The Portugal Fund has now been dissolved by the Member States.

International conventions

EFTA also originated the Hallmarking Convention and the Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention, both of which are open to non-EFTA states.

Relationship to the European Economic Area

See also: European Economic Area

Except for Switzerland, the EFTA members are also members of the European Economic Area (EEA).

A clickable Euler diagram showing the relationships between various multinational European organisations.v • d • e

International relationships

EFTA has several free trade agreements with non-EU countries as well as declarations on cooperation and joint workgroups to improve trade. Currently, the EFTA States have established preferential trade relations with 24 states and territories, in addition to the 27 member states of the European Union.

EFTA preferential free trade agreements with partners worldwide.

• Dark blue ...... EFTA member states.
• Light blue ...... EU member states.
• Dark green ... EFTA free trade agreements.
• Brown .......... EFTA in ongoing negotiations.
• Red ............... Declarations on Cooperation.
• Orange ......... EFTA in dialogue on closer trade and investment.
• Yellow .......... Individual EFTA members' free trade relationships.

Free trade agreement

• Albania
• Canada (Canada-European Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement)
• Chile
• Colombia
• Croatia
• Egypt
• Gulf Co-operation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates)
• Hong Kong
• Israel
• Jordan
• South Korea
• Lebanon
• Republic of Macedonia
• Mexico
• Montenegro
• Morocco (excluding Western Sahara)
• Palestinian National Authority
• Peru
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland)
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Ukraine

Ongoing free trade negotiations

• Algeria
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Central American States (Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras)
• India
• Indonesia
• Russia / Belarus / Kazakhstan
• Thailand

Declarations on Cooperation / Dialogue on closer trade and investment relations

• Malaysia
• Mauritius
• MERCOSUR (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay)
• Mongolia
• Philippines
• Vietnam

EFTA and the European Union

Main article: European Economic Area

See also: Accession of Iceland to the European Union, Liechtenstein–European Union relations, Norway–European Union relations, and Switzerland–European Union relations

The following table summarises the various components of EU laws applied in the EFTA countries and their sovereign territories. Some territories of EU member states also have a special status in regard to EU laws applied as is the case with some European microstates.

EFTA member states and sovereign territories		Application of EU law	Enforceable in local courts?	EURATOM?	EU Membership?	Schengen area?	EU VAT area?	EU customs territory?	EU single market?	Eurozone?
Iceland		Partial	Unclear	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No, ISK
Liechtenstein		Partial	Unclear	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No, CHF
Norway, except:		Partial	Unclear	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No, NOK
	Svalbard	Partial	Unclear	No	No	No	No	No	No	No, NOK
	Bouvet Island	Partial	Unclear	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No, NOK
	Peter I Island	Partial	Unclear	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No, NOK
	Queen Maud Land	Partial	Unclear	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No, NOK
Switzerland		Partial	Unclear	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No, CHF

See also

• Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA)
• Euro-Mediterranean free trade area (EU-MEFTA)
• Free trade areas in Europe
• European Union free trade agreements
• European Union Association Agreement