Rencontre annuelle entre le Comité parlementaire de l’AELE et les ministres de l’AELE à Borgarnes, en Islande

The EFTA Parliamentary Committee is a forum for parliamentarians in the four member states of the European Free Trade Association, while the EFTA Consultative Committee brings together representatives from trade unions and employers' organisations. Both committees are advisory bodies to EFTA. Their mandate is to review and advise on EFTA member states' trade relations with third countries and with the European Union (EU) in accordance with the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA). The advisory bodies form a key channel for dialogue and consultation on social, economic and political aspects of EFTA's free trade agreements and the functioning of the EEA.

Under the current Icelandic Chairmanship, the Parliamentary Committee and Consultative Committee will convene in Borgarnes this year for their annual exchange with ministers of the EFTA states. Items on the agenda include consequences of the war in Ukraine, EFTA's relations with third countries, EFTA's place in a volatile international trade environment, and Swiss-EU relations.

The two advisory bodies will also hold talks with Rozeta Hajdari, Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade of Kosovo, and Sergiu Gaibu, Minister of the Economy of Moldova, on the prospects of enhancing trade and investment between their respective countries and the EFTA states by concluding comprehensive free trade agreements. In addition, the EFTA Parliamentary Committee will be briefed on the implications for EFTA and the EEA of the European Commission's proposal for a directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. Lastly, the EFTA Parliamentary Committee will also take the opportunity of this gathering to hold its 127th meeting.

The EFTA/EU Delegation will be represented by National Council member Eric Nussbaumer (SP, BL), a former president of the delegation, and National Council member Hans-Peter Portmann (PLR, ZH).