On Tuesday 25 June, the EU Council adopted a decision on the signature and provisional application of the Agreements on the European Economic Area (EEA) and on the Norwegian Financial Mechanisms for the period 2021-2028.
The financial mechanisms define the contribution of the EEA/EFTA States - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway - to reducing economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area.
Together, the two financial mechanisms will provide a financial contribution of €3.268 billion to economic and social cohesion in the EEA from May 2021 to April 2028. This amount consists of country-specific allocations to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia on the basis of the Cohesion Fund allocation key.
Two additional protocols to the EU’s bilateral agreements with Norway and Iceland, negotiated in parallel, provide for the liberalisation of access to the EU market for certain fish and fishery products originating in these countries from May 2021 to April 2028. Norway will renew the agreement on fish transit for EU vessels landing catches in Norway.
The Commission and the EEA States are ready to sign the respective agreements and protocols. Following the required notifications, the agreements and protocols will be applied on a provisional basis until the ratification procedures have been completed. The EU Council will adopt a decision on their conclusion after approval by the European Parliament.
Details: https://aeur.eu/f/cst (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)