EEA Enlargement Agreement

EEA Enlargement Agreement

Title of Treaty

Agreement on the participation of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic in the European Economic Area.

About the agreement

The document is an Agreement to extend the EU’s enlarged internal market to Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The new agreement allows the ten Acceding Countries to participate in the EEA when they join the EU. This is necessary for the Acceding Countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to enjoy the full benefits of the internal market upon enlargement of the EU. In reaching agreement on EEA enlargement negotiations, four related bilateral agreements were also concluded between the EC/EEC and Norway and Iceland.

The Agreement, signed at the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 14 October 2003 was deposited for scrutiny with an Explanatory Memorandum on 7 October 2003, and has cleared scrutiny by the relevant Committees. The Agreement is of mixed competence and must therefore be ratified by all Member States.

It is desirable for the Acceding Countries and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein to enjoy the full benefits of trade under the terms of the internal market as soon as the EU enlarges. The continuation of the EEA Financial Mechanism and Norway’s bilateral financial assistance linked to the EEA enlargement agreement are welcome contributions to alleviating the EU’s social and economic disparities. The bilateral quotas agreed for marine and agricultural products are based on existing trade levels and will not give Iceland or Norway any increased advantage over British exporters to markets in the Accession Countries.

Through the EEA Financial Mechanism, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will contribute 600 million Euros (£415.56m) over a five-year period to alleviating social and economic disparities in the enlarged EEA. In addition, Norway will provide 567 million Euros (£392.7m) over five years through a bilateral financial instrument. This will be closely co-ordinated with the EEA financial mechanism, but with specific emphasis on facilitating the integration of the new Member States in the internal market.

Conclusion

Notes

See Also

References and Further Reading

About the Author/s and Reviewer/s

Author: international


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