EFTA Ministerial Conference in Norway: free trade policy outlook in focus
Bern, 23.06.2025 — On 23 June, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin attended the Ministerial Conference of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in Norway. In addition to signature of the free trade agreement with Malaysia, a key item on the agenda was the free trade policy outlook for EFTA member states within the current trade policy environment.
The ministerial conference was held in Tromsø at the invitation of the EFTA Council Chair, Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth. The ministers from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway discussed with Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin ongoing work as well as the free trade policy outlook for EFTA member states in light of the current geopolitical challenges.
The ministers are particularly keen to boost coordination among EFTA states on trade issues and explore opportunities for structured dialogue with key trading partners or blocs.
In order to further diversify their export markets and create legal certainty in their trade dealings with third countries, the EFTA ministers called for a swift conclusion to the negotiations with Mercosur and for further negotiations with key trading partners such as Vietnam. The EFTA member states reiterated their willingness to initiate or press ahead with the modernisation of existing agreements with Mexico, Canada and South Korea. In addition, they agreed to continue discussions on new priorities in relations with third countries, for example regarding untapped potential with African countries.
Participants at the ministerial conference discussed the state of relations between EFTA states and the respective relations with the EU and touched on various horizontal issues. The main items on the agenda were also covered in discussions with EFTA's Parliamentary Committee and Consultative Committee. Close and regular dialogue and consultations with these EFTA advisory bodies are intended to foster greater transparency in the free trade process.
On the margins of the Ministerial Conference, the ministers of the four EFTA member states, together with the Malaysian Minister for Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, signed an economic partnership agreement between EFTA and Malaysia.
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin signs free trade agreement with Malaysia