EEA Seminar draws over 350 participants

On 25 September, the EFTA Secretariat hosted its flagship event: the EEA Seminar - an introduction to the European Economic Area and the mosaic of institutions involved in the good functioning of the EEA Agreement.

Ambassador Stefán H. Jóhannesson from the Mission of Iceland to the EU and Chair of the EFTA Standing Committee welcomed participants to the seminar and said "In the face of the global challenges before us, it is reassuring to see such interest and curiosity in the EEA Agreement. Long-term solutions can only emerge through effective collaboration and knowledge-sharing. This is what makes meeting points like today's EEA Seminar very important."

Experts from the EFTA Secretariat, EFTA Surveillance Authority, EFTA Court, EEA and Norway Grants and European Commission delivered presentations on how the EEA Agreement is implemented and the many aspects of this work.

In the afternoon, participants had the opportunity to choose between four breakout sessions running in parallel as an interactive way of deep diving into the EEA Agreement:

• From framework to function: How EU law becomes EEA law
• A deep dive into the two-pillar system (advanced session)
• Making an impact: How the EEA EFTA States work to influence EU policy
• Making rights real: Judicial enforcement and surveillance

The next EEA Seminar is scheduled for 18 March 2026. Sign up here to be notified when registration opens.

Discover more from the EEA Seminar through the materials below.

Photos

Slide deck: Unveiling the magic behind the EEA Agreement - presented by Marit C. Schage Andria, Director of Internal Market Division, EFTA Secretariat

Recording

Slide deck: From EU Law to EEA Law - presented by Karoline Lumholdt Mathisen, Head of EEA Legal Coordination, EFTA Secretariat

Recording

Slide deck: How EEA EFTA States can influence EU law making - presented by Trond Helge Bårdsen, Senior Officer, Internal Market Division, EFTA Secretariat

Recording

Slide deck: EEA Law Enforcement: EFTA Surveillance Authority and EFTA Court - presented by Melpo Joséphidès, Director of Legal & Executive Affairs, EFTA Surveillance Authority and Ólafur Einarsson, Registrar, EFTA Court

Recording

Slide deck: The role of parliamentarians, social partners and regional authorities in the EEA - presented by Ingerid Bratz, Officer, EEA Coordination Division, EFTA Secretariat

Recording

Slide deck: EEA and Norway Grants Reduce Disparities and Strengthen Cooperation in Europe - presented by Ragna Fidjestøl, Managing Director, EEA and Norway Grants

Recording

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