Brussels, 13/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - William Rossier, Secretary General of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), presented the press in Brussels on 11 April with the organisation's annual activity report. Rossier indicated that the “44th annual report says what we've done”, adding that he also wanted to talk about the future. Accession of the ten news EFTA members had significant repercussions on relations between the four EFTA countries (Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and the European Union. EFTA has extended its network of trade agreements with third counties, which is the second largest after that of the EU.
On 1 May 2004, the EEA agreement and the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU replaced the free trade agreements that the EFTA countries had with eight of the ten countries joining the Union. The participation of EEA/EFTA countries in Community programmes, for example the 6th FPRD for research or youth education, continues. In the legislative arena, 309 acts of legislation were incorporated in 2004 in the EEA agreement, which now contains 4900 in total. William Rossier assess the progress achieved in competition and telecommunication. 2005 will be the year for consolidating changes due to EU enlargement. EEA/EFTA are seeking highlight their participation in maritime and aviation security. Rossier mentioned the negotiation process with the European Food Agency that is going on.
In 2004 EEA/EFTA countries set up two funds for economic and social cohesion: the financial mechanism 2004-09 and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. By way of the first fund, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will fund projects to the tune of EUR 600 million in new Member States as well as in Spain, Greece and Portugal. Norway allocated and additional EUR 567 million for the then new accession countries. Poland will benefit from nearly half of the funds (47%). Environment, sustainable development, conservation of cultural heritage, training and health will constitute the thematic priorities in the projects. Stine Lund Andresen, Director of the EFTA liaison office commented on the recent creation of a fund of EUR 37.5 million for Polish NGOs alone, “the most important of its kind in Poland”. She added that 2005 would allow for them to go from a preparation to implementation stage with the launch in the next one or two months of the first appeals for tender in Poland and Czech Republic. (Further information: http: //http://www.eeagrants.org/ ).