Agreement on the participation of Croatia in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the related Protocol, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the EU

The Committee on International Trade adopted the report by Alexander GRAF LAMBSDORFF (ADLE, DE) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of an Agreement on the participation of Croatia in the European Economic Area, and of three related agreements.

Members recalled that the EEA Agreement brings together the EU Member States and the three members of the European Free Trade Association - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway - in a single market. It provides for the inclusion of EU legislation covering the four freedoms (free movement of goods, services, persons and capital) throughout all the EEA States. In addition, the Agreement guarantees equal rights and obligations within the internal market for citizens and economic operators in the EEA.

Members consider that the participation of Croatia in the European Economic Area is a natural consequence of its EU accession. Therefore, Members recommended that the European Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement on the participation of Croatia in the EEA as well as the three related additional protocols.