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  1. Negotiations

EFTA

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

EFTA states, Colombia to improve free trade deal
15-Dec-2016 Tax-News
Colombia and the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have discussed making improvements to their bilateral free trade agreement.
EFTA, Indonesia progress free trade talks
4-Oct-2016 Tax News
Delegations from the European Free Trade Association states and Indonesia held the 11th round of negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement.
Shrimp and tuna could benefit from trade agreement with EFTA
30-Jun-2016 FIS
Next October Ecuador is to begin the negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Georgia and EFTA sign Free Trade Agreement
28-Jun-2016 Vestnik Kavkaza
The signing took place on the sideline of Georgian PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili’s two-day official visit to Switzerland and on the margins of EFTA ministerial meeting.
EFTA and Malaysia hold seventh round of negotiations on an economic partnership agreement
7-Jun-2016 Public Now
Negotiations between EFTA and Malaysia have been ongoing since April 2014. The two sides have held seven rounds of negotiations, as well as intersessional expert meetings
EFTA and Indonesia hold tenth round of negotiations
26-May-2016 EFTA
From 23 to 26 May 2016, delegations from the EFTA States and Indonesia continued their negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Interlaken, Switzerland.
Iceland agrees with CJEU, excludes Western Sahara from trade deal
25-Apr-2016 WSRW
All four members states of the EFTA free trade association conclude in the same way as the Court of Justice of the European Union. Goods from Western Sahara cannot be inluded in free trade agreements with Morocco.
Georgia begins round two of free trade talks EFTA
10-Dec-2015 Agenda.ge
The third round of negotiations between Georgia and EFTA will be held in February 2016.
Georgia negotiates with EFTA to establish free trade area
20-Sep-2015
Georgia is taking another step forward cementing its relationship with the European Union (EU) and fulfilling its obligations regarding the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) to establish a free trade area with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.
Efta states asked to make PH their gateway to Asean
13-Aug-2015 PDI
The Philippines is willing to “provide more openings” in the local services sector for the four-member states of the European Free Trade Association (Efta) under a proposed free trade agreement (FTA), if the bloc makes the country its hub in or main gateway to the Asean.

    Links

  • EFTA FTAs
    Database of all FTAs entered into by the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.)
  • EFTA Secretariat
    Website of the EFTA Secretariat