While often overlooked, the European Free Trade Association — composed of Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — actively seeks comprehensive bilateral FTAs much like its rivals the EU, the US, Japan, Canada or Australia. EFTA’s outward push towards FTAs is led and dominated by corporate powerhouse Switzerland, home to some of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical, agricultural biotechnology, banking and insurance companies.
EFTA has established important bilateral FTAs with Chile (2003), Israel (1992), Jordan (2001), Korea (2005), Lebanon (2004), Mexico (2000), Morocco (1997), the Palestinian Authority (1998), Turkey (1991), Singapore (2002), Tunisia (2004), the Southern Africa Customs Union (2006), Egypt (2007), Canada (2007), the GCC (2008), Colombia (2008) and Peru (2008).
The group is currently negotiating FTAs with India, Indonesia, Thailand, Algeria and Pakistan. It is expected to launch talks shortly with Malaysia and Vietnam, while similar deals with Russia and Ukraine are planned for later.
last update: May 2012
Photo: Campax
Jefes negociadores de la UE y Mercosur se reunirán en octubre |
Combatir desastres ambientales y tratados de inversiones |
Montauk Metals desistirá de arbitraje con Colombia si no encuentra financiador |
Pollueurs payés : les conséquences catastrophiques du règlement des différends entre investisseurs et États sur l’action climatique et environnementale et sur les droits humains |
Mercosur : le Paraguay pose un ultimatum à l’Union européenne |
La Grande-Bretagne signe un accord commercial avec l’État de Washington |
