ECONOMIC FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

News-CRUX-10     23rd January 2024        
QEP Pocket Notes

Context: After 16 years of negotiations, India and the European trade bloc are on the verge of finalizing a significant trade deal.


European Free Trade Association  (EFTA)

  • About: It is the intergovernmental organization of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

oIceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are in the Schengen area but are not EU member states.

  • Set up: In 1960 by its then seven Member States for the promotion of free trade and economic integration between its members.
  • History: EFTA was founded by the Stockholm Convention in 1960.
  • Advisory Bodies: The EFTA Parliamentary Committee, The EFTA Consultative Committee, The EEA EFTA Forum.
  • Goal: Fosters free trade and economic integration among its members both within Europe and on a global scale.

Schengen Area:

  • About: It is an area comprising 27 European countries that have officially abolished passports and many other types of border control at their mutual borders.
QEP Pocket Notes