Europese Economische Ruimte breidt uit (en)

After weeks of wrangling, a deal to expand the European Economic Area (EEA) - in light of EU enlargement - has been finalised after Liechtenstein yesterday (5 November), decided to sign the agreement without recognition from the Czech Republic and Slovakia of its sovereignty.

The 34,000-strong principality has no formal bilateral diplomatic relations with its two neighbours.

The pressure finally weakened Liechtenstein, when it became clear that ministers from the Czech Republic and Slovakia would not budge an inch to meet its demands, and backing from its EFTA partners began to wane.

"Liechtenstein's demand for recognition of its sovereignty without reservation by the Czech and Slovak Republic still stands. The Liechtenstein Government notes that this demand, which should be obvious among parties to the EEA Agreement, has been accepted and recognised by all other EEA Contracting Parties without reservation", read a statement from Liechtenstein's Parliament.

Norway's foreign minister, Jan Petersen, had indicated earlier this week that Norway was not prepared to wait much longer for the deal to be closed, indicating that they would go ahead and sign the agreement.

The Norwegian authorities welcomed the signing of the new EEA agreement, reported Aftenposten.

The new agreement is now set to come into force from the spring of 2004.

The European Economic Area

The European Economic Area, (EEA) is a free trade area for the EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein (the EFTA countries). However, the free trade agreements do not include provisions for agricultural products or fish.

Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein have adopted around 4000 EU laws, mainly relating to the Internal Market.

They hold a special veto right in relation to these laws, but a veto has never been used.

The EEA treaty gives countries access to sell products within the Internal Market but also obliges Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to pay a contribution to the EU structural funds, which amount to 0.02% of their Gross National Product (GNP) as opposed to the Member States' contribution of 0.47% of their GNP.

The EEA Agreement states that a country becoming a member of the EU shall also apply for membership of the EEA (Article 128).