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The UK’s future relationship with the EEA EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland

20 July 2020

Proposing MP
Aldridge-Brownhills
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The UK Government has initiated formal negotiations for its future relationships with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway (EEA EFTA states) and Switzerland.

Action Requested

The Government is conducting negotiations to agree on measures spanning the entire breadth of the relationship with these countries, aiming to protect existing cooperation levels and establish ambitious new agreements. Negotiations will be sequenced based on the specific areas of focus such as trade, citizen's rights, air services, etc., and updates will be provided through regular dialogues and publications.

Key Facts

  • The UK has signed the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement in January this year.
  • Bilateral trade with the EEA EFTA states totalled approximately £27bn in 2019.
  • Trade with Switzerland was around £39bn in 2019.
  • A successful UK-EEA EFTA Future Relations Dialogue took place on 16 July.
  • The first UK-Swiss Future Relations Dialogue occurred on 1 July.
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy