▷ Liechtenstein at the EEA Council in Brussels
11/25/2021 – 8:44 am
Principality of Liechtenstein
Vaduz (ots)
The EEA Council takes place every six months in Brussels. The exchange serves primarily to discuss the situation of cooperation in the European Economic Area between the EEA / EFTA states and the EU. On the fringes of the EEA Council, there is also an exchange on current foreign policy issues. Liechtenstein was appointed by Ambassador Pascal Schafhauser after Government Councilor Dominique Hasler had to cancel her participation at short notice due to the current development of the Covid 19 pandemic.
The EEA / EFTA states and the EU agreed that cooperation in the European internal market works well. During the Covid-19 pandemic, for example, the rapid notification of the free movement of goods and participation in the digital Covid certificate were important steps. Ambassador Schafhauser takes the opportunity to address Liechtenstein challenges, such as the subordination of cross-border commuters in the home office under social security law. At the same time, he emphasizes the need to design initiatives under the new EU industrial strategy that are compatible with the size of SMEs.
Relations with China and the current situation on the EU’s external border with Belarus were discussed as part of the political dialogue. The EU also informed the EEA / EFTA states about the Strategic Compass presented in November. The new basic security policy document is intended to define the EU’s position on security and defense issues in the future.
The annual meeting of the EEA / EFTA states with the EFTA advisory bodies also takes place on the fringes of the EEA Council. The bodies consist of the Parliamentary Committee and the Advisory Committee. Günter Vogt (head of the delegation) and Daniel Seger from the Liechtenstein Parliament are represented in the former. The EFTA Advisory Committee is a forum for the trade unions and employers’ organizations of the four EFTA countries. Liechtenstein is represented on the committee by the managing director of the LIHK Brigitte Haas and the managing director of the LANV Sigi Langenbahn. The meeting serves to exchange information on concerns of the EFTA advisory bodies in the implementation of the EEA Agreement.
Press contact:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sports
Liechtenstein Embassy in Brussels
Pascal Schafhauser, ambassador
T + 32 2 229 39 04