EEA

6.9.2013

Question for oral answer O-000087/2013
to the Commission
Rule 115
Malcolm Harbour
on behalf of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Four countries currently form part of the EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). At the same time, three small countries – Andorra, San Marino and Monaco – wish to strengthen their relations with the EU in order to have better access to the EU’s internal market.

The Commission has put forward two preferred options for closer integration of these three countries with the EU: (i) the creation of a Framework Association Agreement between them and the EU; (ii) membership of the EEA for the three micro-states.

Switzerland is the only current member of the EFTA which is not a member of the EEA as its participation in the agreement was contested in a popular vote in 1992. Nevertheless, the country has, since then, signed more than 120 bilateral agreements with the EU.

The EU’s internal market is of relevance to all of the above countries and ongoing discussions on future relations with the EU, especially concerning single market policies and their implementation and enforcement, will be of importance to consumers beyond the EU’s borders.

1.  Does the Commission consider that the time has now come to examine the functioning of the EEA Agreement, in order to tackle both its shortcomings and possible improvements in relation to enforcing single market rules?

2.  Is the Commission willing to consider the impact on the single market of the possible extension of the EEA Agreement and relations with Andorra, San Marino and Monaco?

3.  In view of furthering relations with Switzerland, does the Commission consider that its entry into the EEA would be best for consumers and the uniform enforcement of single market rules?

Tabled: 6.9.2013

Forwarded: 10.9.2013

Deadline for reply: 17.9.2013