Introduction to the European Free Trade Association
EFTA (European Free Trade Association - EFTA), also known as "Free Trade."
January 4, 1960, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK signed in Stockholm, "the Convention establishing the European Free Trade Association," or "Stockholm Convention." Convention ratified by the parliaments of the same year after the entry into force on May 3, the formal establishment of the European Free Trade Association, EFTA short, headquartered in Geneva.
EFTA's aim is to achieve the Union members within the region between the industrial expansion of free trade and trade in agricultural products; ensure fair trade between Member States under the conditions of competition; development and expansion of world trade and the gradual removal of trade barriers. Its main tasks are: to phase out tariffs on industrial goods within member States and other trade barriers in order to achieve "free trade"; for all other countries still maintain different industrial tariff rate; the expansion of agricultural trade; not seek any form of European political integration.
European Free Trade Association / European Free Trade Association - Organization
European Free Trade Association / EFTA are Council, Standing Committee and Secretariat. Council is the supreme authority, or by the Permanent Representatives of Ministers to member States, meeting twice a year, chaired by the member rotation period of six months. Decisions about new obligations shall be adopted unanimously, by a majority of other issues. The Standing Committee consists of the origin and customs experts, trade specialists, budget, economy, technical barriers to trade, the Advisory Committee and other committees. Designated by the national advisory committee of employers, union representatives and individuals, before each Council meeting. The Secretariat is responsible for handling daily affairs, a Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General of the 1; addition, there are: Supervision Bureau, established in January 1993, January 1, 1994 the official work, based in Brussels, responsible for overseeing the EFTA United States to comply with the European Economic Area agreement, EFTA countries competing companies to comply with the principles of the European Economic Area; Court, January 24, 1994, Member States have signed the agreement establishing the court, based in Geneva, by the five judges, of his duties and privileges similar to the European Court.
There are four members (up to July 1998): Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. March 1960, Liechtenstein became associate members, formally joined in May 1991. June 1961, Finland became associate members officially joined in January 1986. March 1970, Iceland Jia Ruou Trade Union. January 1973, the United Kingdom, Denmark exit. December 31, 1985, the Portuguese out. December 31, 1994, Austria, Sweden, Finland joined the EU after the exit.
European Free Trade Association / European Free Trade Association - the main activities:
European Free Trade Association / EFTA attaches great importance to the EU (European Community) to develop economic and trade relations. In March 1989, EFTA summit meeting held in Oslo, reaffirmed by the European Community co-operation between the industrial expansion of free trade to the research, technology, education, transport, environment and social policy fields, and expressed willingness and explore the establishment of a common European policy-making and regulatory agencies. In June 1990, 13 to 14, EFTA member Heads of Government Meeting held in Gothenburg, Sweden, on the establishment of the European Economic Area and the European Community put forward a number of specific requirements: the establishment of an independent economic district court and two members of the Organization the country's equal participation in decision-making mechanisms; In determining whether the relevant EC regulations as a common legal basis for the European Economic Area before the two organizations must be resolved before the European Economic Area legislative procedures.
October 22, 1991, EFTA and the EC reached in Luxembourg established the European Economic Area agreement, the provisions from 1 January 1993, the two economic organizations of goods, services, capital and free movement of persons the abolition of tariffs and import quotas, unified industrial and product standards, to strengthen and expand environmental protection, transportation, education, science and technology, tourism and cooperation in the field of social policy. EFTA member states agreed to the relevant EC regulations as the legal basis for the EEA, EFTA and the EC Council of Ministers composed of the European Economic Area and the Court as the highest decision-making and arbitration. On 14 December the same year, the European Court ruled that the agreement on establishment of an independent Europe by the district court violated the provisions of EC law. EFTA and the EC for more than two months of intense negotiations, the final mutual concessions, agreed to by both parties to cancel an independent court; in the event of trade disputes, the purely EFTA or the parties involved Central European Free Trade Association trade accounted for 1 / 3 share of these cases, the EFTA Court, the case involving other parties by the European Court of Justice ruling.
February 14, 1992, EFTA and the EC in Brussels on the European Economic Area agreement to agree the final text, the provisions of an agreement on January 1, 1993 and the European Community within the Single Market agreement in effect. As Switzerland December 6, 1992 in a referendum held by the district decided not to Jiaru Ou, the agreement had therefore delayed. January 12, 1993, the EC Commission, "European Economic Area Supplemental Agreement." EEA agreement intended by the EFTA countries to less developed in Spain, Greece and other European countries ECU 1.5 billion low-interest loans and grants ECU 500 million, of which 27% of the Swiss commitment. Supplemental agreement proposed alternatives to address the Yin Ruishi exit caused the difference. February 25, the EC and EFTA in Brussels on "European Economic Area Supplemental Agreement" an agreement. January 1, 1994, by the EC-12 and in addition to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, EFTA outside of the composition of the five countries officially established the European Economic Area, to form a population of 374 million, the total world trade volume accounted for nearly 40% of the world's largest free trade zone. May 1, 1995, Liechtenstein became the European Economic Area.
Exports is the European Free Trade Association / EFTA countries, the main driving force of economic development, EFTA countries in the OECD countries the unemployment rate is the lowest. EFTA financial situation is good, oil, fisheries, chemicals, watches, machinery manufacturing, financial services, maritime transport and other areas of the world leader.
With the trend of European economic integration and gradually strengthen, EFTA and the EU closer together, EFTA members to join the European Union to speed up the pace. In March 1993, Sweden, Finland, Austria and Norway and the EU accession negotiations at the end of the problem. Rui, fun, a referendum passed by the three countries Austria, in January 1995 January to join the EU, EFTA and exits; Norway since the referendum on the accession to the EU, remain in the EFTA. With the expansion of the EU, EFTA since 1995, remaining four members.
June 11, 1996, the EEA Council held in Luxembourg in the first half, EFTA member states with the EU hopes to strengthen economic, diplomatic, legislative, technological and other fields. EFTA also on the EU Intergovernmental Conference on the promotion of the two sides welcomed the proposal. December 6, held in the second half of the EEA Council, issued a joint communique, to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the three countries in promoting the development of the EEA internal market has played an important role to be sure, advocates within the framework of the World Trade Organization promote the development of the multilateral trading system, in order to conform to the trend of globalization. May 18, 1999, the EEA Council held in Brussels in the first half, a comprehensive review of the European Economic Area agreement on the implementation of the European Parliament and the European Free Trade Association Council jointly issued the relevant consumer, food safety, the European Economic Area 1998 annual report expressed satisfaction with the operation; congratulations on successful launch of the euro. Participants also discussed Kosovo, Russia and European security situation and exchanged views. November 15, the EEA Council held in the second half of the EU presidency on a regular basis to inform the EFTA countries expressed satisfaction with the progress of EU enlargement, the EU hopes to continue the case to the European Free Trade Unicom reported; wto Ministerial Conference in Seattle that attention, emphasizing a rules-based multilateral trading system are useful for each country; discussed relations with Russia, the Nordic region, the Balkans and the regional situation.
June 3, 1998, EFTA was held in Reykjavik, Iceland Spring Council of Ministers to consider the EFTA cooperation with the European Union, to discuss EU enlargement EFTA member states may impact, for a full , accurate and timely information on the enlargement process, I wish the successful launch of the euro. October 12, EFTA and EU finance ministers meeting in Luxembourg, the two sides focused on industrial restructuring, increasing labor market flexibility and the Asian financial crisis and other issues. November 30, EFTA Council of Ministers in the autumn Bard 瑞士洛克伊 held meeting of the European Economic Area agreement on the implementation of the agreement is that a stable framework, and promoting the EFTA with the EU a special relationship.
May 18, 1999, the EEA Council held in Brussels in the first half, a comprehensive review of the European Economic Area agreement on the implementation of the European Parliament and the European Free Trade Association Council jointly issued the relevant consumer, food safety, the European Economic Area 1998 annual report expressed satisfaction with the operation. June 1, EFTA held in Lillehammer, Norway Spring Council of Ministers, the decision as soon as possible free trade agreement with Canada; expressed his willingness to make a substantial contribution to the reconstruction of the Balkans; of the countries with the EU on reducing socio-economic gap to reach a framework agreement on new financial assistance are satisfied; stressed Member States should continue in future multilateral trade negotiations in close cooperation; appointed Ambassador of Switzerland in EFTA William Roger (willian rossier) as the next Secretary General. November 15, the EEA Council held in the second half of the EU presidency on a regular basis to inform the EFTA countries expressed satisfaction with the progress of EU enlargement, the EU hopes to continue the case to the European Free Trade Unicom reported; of the Seattle WTO Ministerial Conference that attention, emphasizing a rules-based multilateral trading system for all countries benefit.
June 19, 2000, EFTA Council of Ministers of the spring meeting in Zurich, stressed the need to strengthen the EFTA countries to the EU legislation on the European Economic Area and planning involved. September 19, the EEA Council held in Brussels on May 25, the European Economic Area Joint Parliamentary Committee published in the EEA annual report expressed satisfaction with the resolution, a comprehensive review of the European Economic Area, implementation of the agreement. December 12, EFTA Council of Ministers held in Geneva in the fall, called for the EU to modify the European Economic Area Treaty, to meet the expanding needs of the European Union.
September 12, 2001, EFTA countries Iceland, Norway and Switzerland joining the EU safety and health information network. October 9, 2001, the European Economic Area Council held in Luxembourg. The meeting reiterated that expansion, new members should join the EU, while Jia Ruou by the district, the proposed EFTA enlargement negotiations on important issues with the EU to strengthen information exchange. The meeting also stressed that both sides in promoting economic and social development of the EU Lisbon strategy for more comprehensive field of exchange of information beneficial to both sides, these areas include: employment, economic reform, research and innovation, social cohesion and sustainable development. 13 November 2001, 14, EFTA and the EU enlargement and the development of bilateral relations with the theme of a meeting. Discuss the opportunities facing the EU's eastward expansion, and stressed that the new acceding countries should follow the European Economic Area agreement.
European Free Trade Association / EFTA countries outside the region with emphasis on the development and organizations. March 30, 1996, four members of EFTA and Macedonia signed a cooperation agreement to expand and strengthen bilateral cooperation in investment, trade, education and other fields. April EFTA Member States and Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia held the first meeting of the Joint Committee responsible for negotiating free trade agreements. In October, EFTA Relations Committee announced the establishment of a third country, responsible for trade negotiations with third countries. December 11, EFTA and ASEAN Economic Ministers held an informal meeting in Singapore to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation. December 16, EFTA Council of Ministers said that Cyprus and Malta would like to conclude with a free trade agreement. June 19, 1997, EFTA and Morocco signed a free trade agreement with Jordan and Lebanon signed a cooperation declaration.
In early 1998, the European Free Trade Association / European Free Trade Association to speed up the conclusion of free trade agreements with Canada, the negotiation process, in June 1999 EFTA Council of Ministers reiterated the spring must be reached before the end of the year, this is the first cross-EFTA Atlantic Free Trade Agreement. June 3, 1998, EFTA Council of Ministers issued a statement saying the spring, as soon as possible with the Gulf Cooperation Council and co-signing the free trade agreement negotiations. June 10, EFTA, respectively, and the Czech Republic, Slovakia on tariffs, technical assistance, services and investment cooperation in such areas were consulted. November 30, EFTA and the Palestine Liberation Organization signed in Switzerland in the industrial, marine and agricultural products processing provisional agreement for cooperation.
In 2000, the European Free Trade Association / European Trade Union and Croatia, Ukraine and the Gulf Cooperation Organization signed a cooperation declaration with Macedonia signed a free trade agreement, while stepping up with Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, the pace of trade negotiations, EFTA and Canada's free trade negotiations is almost complete. November 27, EFTA and Mexico signed a free trade agreement, EFTA is the first trans-Atlantic, by far the most comprehensive free trade agreement. In addition, the EFTA and Latin American Mercosur signed a Declaration on trade and investment cooperation.
In March 2001, 5 to 6 days, the European Free Trade Association / European Free Trade Association in Geneva, Switzerland and Singapore signed a free trade agreement negotiations, this is the first time with the EFTA countries in Asia free-trade negotiations. May 7 - 11, EFTA and Chile held trade negotiations, covering goods, services, investment, government procurement, competition and legal and other fields. June 21, EFTA and Jordan, Croatia sign a free trade agreement.
European Free Trade Association / EFTA countries outside the European Union's trade with the continuous development of the Americas and Asia accounted for 41.7% and 35.9%, 22.4% in other regions. EFTA is a major U.S. trading partners, bilateral trade accounts for EFTA's total trade with the Americas, 28.3%.
