A Romanian governmental delegation led by the state secretary in the Ministry of European Integration, Leonard Orban, will begin today in Brussels, negotiations for joining the European Economic Area.
Membership in the EEA is part of the requirement for joining the European Union. Consequently, at the time Romania joins the EU, it must align with European commercial policies and become part of the international agreements closed by the EU, including the agreement on the creation of the EEA.
The Romanian delegation to Brussels led by Orban will be comprised of representatives from the ministries of European Integration, Foreign Affairs, Education, Finance, Agriculture and Labor.
The negotiations will take place between the three European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries - Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, the European Commission, and the two candidate states - Romania and Bulgaria. The representatives of the EC will act in conformity with the general interests of the EU but will also support the positions of future EU member states. Talks will be held in separate work groups that will focus on technical files such as agriculture, financial assistance and that of the transition period, which targets the extending of the free circulation of goods, services, persons and capital.
Moreover, the agreement with the EEA comprises provisions in the field of competition, state aid and public acquisitions, as well as a series of regulations inspired by EU legislation on social policies, consumer protection, the environment, statistics and commercial companies. Negotiations will also refer to provisions for cooperation on "flanking areas," such as research and technological development, information services, education, tourism, culture, energy and civil protection.
Through negotiations, the Romanian delegation wants to obtain a continuance of the transition periods set during accession negotiations with the EU, free choice on adapting commercial agreements between the EU and EFTA/EEA countries, taking into account Romanian commercial interests, and the establishment of a high financial contribution for Romania from EFTA countries, after joining the EEA.

What is the EEA?

The European Economic Area, created in 1994, unites the 25 EU member states and the three EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) in an "internal market." The rules governing the market aim to enable goods, services, capital, and persons to move freely about the EEA in an open and competitive environment, a concept referred to as the "four freedoms." The EEA countries now have access to an enlarged internal market comprising some 461 million consumers. The EEA provides a level playing field for businesses through the establishment of common rules, while standards throughout the enlarged area facilitate and expand trade.

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