21/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU supports strengthening and deepening relations. On 20 December, the Council of the European Union assessed the development of EU relations with the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). In its conclusions it “notes with satisfaction” that between 2010 and 2012 relations between the EU and Liechtenstein were further extended and strengthened. The conclusions also state that relations between the EU and Norway remained at a high level of cooperation and stability, and they hailed the progress of Iceland in its EU accession negotiations. The Council also highlighted the importance of closer relations between the EU and Switzerland but stressed that further measures are needed to ensure the homogenous interpretation and application of the internal market rules. (CG/transl.fl)