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
Articles
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30-May-2017 MSF MSF response on the India-EFTA free trade agreement negotiations in Liechtenstein this week
Through this deal, Swiss pharmaceutical corporations are working to erode India’s ability to produce and supply generic medicines for people across the developing world. -
23-Mar-2017 WardsAuto EU suppliers push for Mercosur trade deal
The election of Donald Trump to the presidency in the U.S. and its potential impact on EU-U.S. trade talks has made the Mercosur negotiations that entered a new round this week a high priority for the European Commission. -
23-Mar-2017 Scroll.in Switzerland wants stricter intellectual property rules in India that could harm generic drug makers
Switzerland is pushing for tighter patent protection, data exclusivity and dropping compulsory licencing under a new free trade agreement. -
22-Mar-2017 KEI Leaked document: Note by Switzerland on India EFTA TEPA IP Chapter
In this note, Switzerland is proposing that India agree to broader patentable subject matter, particularly as regards biologic products. -
22-Mar-2017 MSF India–EFTA trade talks may make medicines more expensive
MSF and civil society urge Swiss negotiators not to undermine the ‘pharmacy of the developing world’ -
22-Mar-2017 Lexology EFTA and Malaysia hold eighth round of negotiations
Negotiations between EFTA and Malaysia have been ongoing since March 2014. The two sides have held eight rounds of negotiations, as well as intersessional expert meetings. -
10-Mar-2017 Tax-news European states, Ecuador pushing for free trade deal
The European Free Trade Association states – Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway – and Ecuador have continued discussions towards a free trade agreement. -
26-Jan-2017 Tax-news EFTA States, Mexico review free trade agreement
EFTA states and Mexico met in Switzerland mid-month for a third round of negotiations on the comprehensive review of the free trade agreement -
15-Dec-2016 Tax-News EFTA states, Colombia to improve free trade deal
Colombia and the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have discussed making improvements to their bilateral free trade agreement. -
25-Nov-2016 Tribune de Genève La Suisse ne veut pas adhérer au CETA
La Suisse ne veut pas adhérer à l’accord CETA mais ce traité pourrait contraindre la Suisse et ses partenaires de l’AELE à se rapprocher de ces standards. -
4-Oct-2016 Tax News EFTA, Indonesia progress free trade talks
Delegations from the European Free Trade Association states and Indonesia held the 11th round of negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement. -
30-Jun-2016 FIS Shrimp and tuna could benefit from trade agreement with EFTA
Next October Ecuador is to begin the negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). -
28-Jun-2016 Romandie Accord de libre-échange signé entre l’AELE et la Géorgie à Berne
La signature s’est déroulée dans le cadre de la conférence ministérielle des pays de l’AELE et en présence du ministre géorgien de l’économie et du développement durable, Dimitry Kumsishvili. -
28-Jun-2016 Vestnik Kavkaza Georgia and EFTA sign Free Trade Agreement
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. -
7-Jun-2016 Public Now EFTA and Malaysia hold seventh round of negotiations on an economic partnership agreement
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 -
26-May-2016 EFTA EFTA and Indonesia hold tenth round of negotiations
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. -
25-Apr-2016 WSRW Iceland agrees with CJEU, excludes Western Sahara from trade deal
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. -
27-Jan-2016 Despertar México y la Asociación Europea de Libre Comercio actualizarán su TLC
Durante el Foro Económico Mundial, el Presidente Enrique Peña Nieto y su homólogo de la Federación Suiza, Johann Schneider Ammann, atestiguaron la firma de la Declaración Conjunta sobre el Inicio de las Negociaciones para la Revisión. -
10-Dec-2015 Agenda.ge Georgia begins round two of free trade talks EFTA
The third round of negotiations between Georgia and EFTA will be held in February 2016. -
20-Sep-2015 Georgia negotiates with EFTA to establish free trade area
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.
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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
