A stable framework of four
Since 1995, EFTA has consisted of four Member States: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. While the Association began with seven members in 1960 and its membership has varied over the years, its composition has remained unchanged for the last three decades, offering continuity and predictability in European and global trade relations.
• Switzerland and Norway were among the founding members of EFTA in 1960 and have played a central role in shaping its policies and external relations ever since.
• Iceland joined EFTA in 1970, motivated by the prospect of closer economic cooperation with Europe while safeguarding its key industries.
• Liechtenstein became a full member of EFTA in 1991, but even before its formal accession, the Principality had been linked to the Association as it was covered by a special protocol that allowed the EFTA Convention to be applied to Liechtenstein indirectly through its Customs Union Treaty with Switzerland.
With four members, EFTA has proved itself to be a durable framework. The Association’s size allows it to remain flexible in negotiations while maintaining a consistent role as a platform for its members’ external trade policy. This stability has provided a reliable basis for EFTA to expand its global network of free trade agreements.
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Switzerland and Norway signing Stockholm Convention. Photo: Svenkst Pressphoto - A.S.L. Actialités Suisses Lausanne / HAEU, EFTA-1526_3
Switzerland and Norway signing Stockholm Convention. Photo: Svenkst Pressphoto - A.S.L. Actialités Suisses Lausanne / HAEU, EFTA-1526_5
Iceland Negotiations on Joining EFTA. Photo: Laurent Bianco / HAEU, EFTA-EFTA-1532_1
Iceland Negotiations on Joining EFTA. Photo: Laurent Bianco / HAEU, EFTA-EFTA-1532_2
Depositing of Liechtenstein's Accession Documents to the EFTA Convention. Photo: Unknown author / HAEU, EFTA-1543_2
Depositing of Liechtenstein's Accession Documents to the EFTA Convention. Photo: Unknown author / HAEU, EFTA-1543_3
Negotiations on the Application of Iceland: memorandum presented in connection with Iceland’s application for accession to EFTA which confirmed its interest in European economic cooperation and integration. HAEU, EFTA-1116
Negotiations on the Application of Iceland: memorandum presented in connection with Iceland’s application for accession to EFTA which confirmed its interest in European economic cooperation and integration. HAEU, EFTA-1116
Negotiations on the Application of Iceland: memorandum presented in connection with Iceland’s application for accession to EFTA which confirmed its interest in European economic cooperation and integration. HAEU, EFTA-1116
Negotiations on the Application of Iceland: memorandum presented in connection with Iceland’s application for accession to EFTA which confirmed its interest in European economic cooperation and integration. HAEU, EFTA-1116
Negotiations on the Application of Iceland: memorandum presented in connection with Iceland’s application for accession to EFTA which confirmed its interest in European economic cooperation and integration. HAEU, EFTA-1116
Negotiations on the Application of Iceland: memorandum presented in connection with Iceland’s application for accession to EFTA which confirmed its interest in European economic cooperation and integration. HAEU, EFTA-1116
Modernising the founding treaty
At their Ministerial meeting in Lillehammer, Norway, on 9 June 1999, the EFTA States decided to modernise the founding treaty of the Association – the 1960 Stockholm Convention. This was in light of evolving European and global trade realities like the increasing importance of trade in services, foreign direct investment and intellectual property rights, as well as the increased level of ambition in trade liberalisation. The initiative followed an offer by Switzerland to extend to its EFTA partners the benefits of seven bilateral agreements concluded with the EC in June 1999.
The goal was to align the Convention with both the EEA framework and the Swiss–EU bilateral agreements, while also reflecting developments in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and EFTA’s growing network of third-country relations.
The Vaduz Convention
After nearly two years of negotiations, the amended Convention was signed in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, on 21 June 2001, and entered into force on 1 June 2002 – the same day as the Swiss–EU bilateral agreements. The new Convention represented a more advanced level of integration between the four EFTA States, providing a stronger instrument for managing both their internal cooperation and external partnerships. The scope of the Convention was expanded to include areas such as the free movement of persons, public procurement, and transport. The functions of the EFTA Council were broadened to reflect EFTA’s increasing third-country free trade activities.
The EFTA States committed to updating the Vaduz Convention on a continuous basis in accordance with common developments under the EEA Agreement and the Swiss–EC bilateral agreements.
Relations with third countries
Partnerships beyond EFTA and the first free trade agreement (1967-1979)
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