European Economic Area
| |
|---|---|
 EU states which form part of the EEA
EFTA states which form part of the EEA | |
|
|
| Member states[1][2] | All 27 EU member states 3 of 4 EFTA member states |
| Establishment | |
• EEA Agreement signed | 2 May 1992 |
• Entry into force | 1 January 1994 |
| Area | |
• Total | 4,945,000 km2 (1,909,000 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2021 estimate | 453,000,000 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | US$16.3 trillion[3] |
• Per capita | US$39,500 |
The European Economic Area (EEA) was established via the Agreement on the European Economic Area,[4] an international agreement which enables the extension of the European Union's single market to member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).[5] The EEA links the EU member states and three of the four EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) into an internal market governed by the same basic rules. These rules aim to enable free movement of persons, goods, services, and capital within the European single market, including the freedom to choose residence in any country within this area. The EEA was established on 1 January 1994 upon entry into force of the EEA Agreement. The contracting parties are the EU, its member states, and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.[4] New members of EFTA would not automatically become party to the EEA Agreement, as each EFTA State decides on its own whether it applies to be party to the EEA Agreement or not. According to Article 128 of the EEA Agreement, "any European State becoming a member of the Community shall, and the Swiss Confederation or any European State becoming a member of EFTA may, apply to become a party to this Agreement. It shall address its application to the EEA Council." EFTA does not envisage political integration. It does not issue legislation, nor does it establish a customs union. Schengen is not a part of the EEA Agreement. However, all of the four EFTA States participate in Schengen and Dublin through bilateral agreements. They all apply the provisions of the relevant Acquis.[6]
The EEA Agreement is a commercial treaty and differs from the EU Treaties in certain key respects. According to Article 1 its purpose is to "promote a continuous and balanced strengthening of trade and economic relation". The EFTA members do not participate in the Common Agricultural Policy or the Common Fisheries Policy.
The right to free movement of persons between EEA member states and the relevant provisions on safeguard measures are identical to those applying between members of the EU.[4][7] The right and rules applicable in all EEA member states, including those which are not members of the EU, are specified in Directive 2004/38/EC[7] and in the EEA Agreement.[4][8]
The EEA Agreement specifies that membership is open to member states either of the EU or of the EFTA. EFTA states that are party to the EEA Agreement participate in the EU's internal market without being members of the EU or the European Union Customs Union. They adopt most EU legislation concerning the single market, with notable exclusions including laws regarding the Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy.[9] The EEA's "decision-shaping" processes enable EEA EFTA member states to influence and contribute to new EEA policy and legislation from an early stage.[10] Third country goods are excluded for these states on rules of origin.
When entering into force in 1994, the EEA parties were 17 states and two European Communities: the European Community, which was later absorbed into the EU's wider framework,[citation needed] and the now defunct European Coal and Steel Community. Membership has grown to 30 states as of 2020: 27 EU member states, as well as three of the four member states of the EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).[4] The Agreement is applied provisionally with respect to Croatia—the remaining and most recent EU member state—pending ratification of its accession by all EEA parties.[2][11] One EFTA member, Switzerland, has not joined the EEA, but has a set of bilateral sectoral agreements with the EU which allow it to participate in the internal market.
- ^ "Agreement details". Council of the European Union. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Agreement details". Council of the European Union. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "Report for Selected Countries and Subjects". imf.org. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Agreement on the European Economic Area (Consolidated text)
- ^ "The Basic Features of the EEA Agreement - European Free Trade Association". efta.int. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- ^ "Frequently asked questions on EFTA, the EEA, EFTA membership and Brexit | European Free Trade Association".
- ^ a b Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States amending Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 and repealing Directives 64/221/EEC, 68/360/EEC, 72/194/EEC, 73/148/EEC, 75/34/EEC, 75/35/EEC, 90/364/EEC, 90/365/EEC and 93/96/EEC
- ^ Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 158/2007 of 7 December 2007 amending Annex V (Free movement of workers) and Annex VIII (Right of establishment) to the EEA Agreement
- ^ "The Basic Features of the EEA Agreement | European Free Trade Association". Efta.int. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
- ^ "2182-BULLETIN-2009-07:1897-THIS-IS-EFTA-24" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 August 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
- ^ "Croatia joins the EEA". European Free Trade Association. 12 April 2014. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2014.