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European integration models

EFTA Seminar on the EEA Agreement – 4 September 2014 How EU law becomes EEA law Tore Grønningæter Senior Information and Communication Officer EFTA Secretariat tgr@efta.int. European integration models. 1957- The EU model (EEC/ EC/EU): supranationality

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European integration models

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  1. EFTA Seminar on the EEA Agreement – 4 September 2014How EU law becomes EEA lawTore GrønningæterSenior Information and Communication OfficerEFTA Secretariattgr@efta.int

  2. European integration models • 1957- The EU model (EEC/EC/EU): supranationality • 1960- The EFTA model: intergovernmental cooperation • 1973- The bilateral free trade model • 1994- The European Economic Area model • 1999- The Swiss bilaterals model • 2001- The Schengen model

  3. The challenges of the 1980’s • End of European economic growth in the 1970’ties • US and Japan dominace in the electronic industry • Numerous physical, technical and fiscal barriers to trade • Failure of the ”old” regulatory approach (harmonization) The EC response: Single European Act (1987) • Completing the internal marked by end of 1992 • Strengthening of the four freedoms and supporting policies • Decisions by qualified majority voting

  4. The birth of the EEA • 1984 - First EFTA-EU Ministerial meeting, Luxembourg Declaration on a dynamic ”European Economic Space” • 1989 - Commission President Delors offers the EFTA countries an EEA solution • 1989 - Fall of the Berlin wall • 1992 - EEA negotiations finalized (signature) • 1993 - Swiss no-vote • 1994 - Entry into force of the EEA

  5. COUNCIL PRESIDENCY + EEAS EUROPEAN EXT. ACTION SERVICE THE COMMSSION THE COURT OF JUSTICE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE ICELAND LIECHTENSTEIN NORWAY EFTA STANDING COMMITTEE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY EFTA COURT COMMITTEE OF MPs OF THE EFTA STATES EFTA CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE EEA COUNCIL EEA JOINT COMMITTEE EEA JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE EEA CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE The EEA two-pillar structure

  6. Common Rules • State Aid • Competition • Cooperation • EU Programmes • EU Agencies • Cohesion • EEA and Norway Grants European Economic Area -extending the EU Internal Market Four Freedoms Free movement of goods Free movement of services Free movement of capital Free movement of persons Horizontal policies Environment Social policy Consumer protection Statistics Company law

  7. The EEA - static and dynamic Static in scope • Covers the EU internal market (with some exceptions) • No additional areas foreseen to be included Dynamic in character • Updated continuously by adding new EU legislation in areas already covered by the Agreement • Ensuring homogeneity with the EEA

  8. The EEA does not cover • Third country issues (some exceptions) • Common Trade Policy • EU Customs Union (towards third countries) • Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policies • EU Regional Policy • Economic and Monetary Union • Justice and Home Affairs • Common Foreign, Security and Defense Policy

  9. Challenges • Changes to the EU Treaties • Abolision of the EU pillars (combining areas) • EU Agencies with legislative competence • Extended geographical scope (offshore/maritime) • Efficient ”take over” of EU legislation (homogeneity) • EEA EFTA influence on EU decision making • Making the EEA Agreement known

  10. From EU law to EEA law http://www.efta.int/media/documents/eea/1113623-How-EU-acts-become-EEA-acts.pdf

  11. EEA decision shaping on the EU side European Commission drafts new legislation COM shall seek advise from the EFTA States and the EU Member States in the same way – Art. 99 EEA EP and MS discuss EP/Council acts EFTA-EU exchange of views – Art. 99 EEA Experts discuss delegated acts EFTA participation Art.100 EEA MS experts discuss implementing acts EFTA participation Art. 100 EEA EU act published in the Official Journal of the EU Footnote-marking for EEA relevant acts (not legally binding)

  12. EU adopts new legislation...

  13. EEA position taking on the EFTA side • EFTA Secretariat identifies relevant acts and conducts a preliminary assessment. ’Standard sheets’ sent to experts. • EFTA experts (Working Groups) discuss - EEA relevance - Possible need for technical adaptation - Possible need for substantial adaptations/negotiations - Possible need for parliamentary procedures (Art. 103 EEA) • EFTA Secretariat drafts a EEA Joint Committee Decision for incorporation of the act(s) into the EEA Agreement • Draft JCD submitted to the EU side (EEAS) after approval by the EFTA Subcommittee

  14. EFTA Subcommittees and Working Groups

  15. EEA position taking on the EU side European Commission Council EEA EFTA States’ position If adaptations or financial contributions are involved DIRECTORATE-GENERALS LEGAL SERVICE DG BUDGET COUNCIL (Ministers) COREPER (Ambassadors) WORKING GROUP ON EFTA MATTERS European External Action Service (EEAS) EU’s position

  16. EEA decision-taking Adopted EEA Joint Committee Decision Council European External Action Service (EEAS) Commission EFTA Standing Committee EFTA Sub-committees EFTA Working Groups Draft decision Constitutional requirements Article 103 EEA EFTA Surveillance Authority Entry into force Adopted EEA relevant EU legislation Implementation in national law (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)

  17. Are we on time?

  18. Is there a veto right? • EEA Article 102 procedures • What does history tell us?

  19. Extending EU law … 9991 EU acts incorporated into the EEA Agreement 1 875 at the time of signing (1992) 7 119 added by the EEA Joint Committee 997 added by simplified procedures (veterinary field) 4 677 legal acts in force today in the EEA 10 962 legal acts in force today in the EU Source: EFTA Secretariat and EUR-Lex 1.9.2014

  20. The EEA Agreement on www.efta.int

  21. More information…. www.efta.int

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