EFTA

In June, EFTA 🇮🇸🇱🇮🇳🇴🇨🇭 and Chile 🇨🇱 signed a modernised Free Trade Agreement, further strengthening their economic ties.🤝 This agreement included new chapters on #sustainability and #SMEs. Watch Guy Parmelin, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research of Switzerland, explain the importance of including such chapters in recent EFTA agreements. #freetrade #EFTA #Chile #tradeagreements #internationaltrade

🤝 Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and the EU have signed an Agreement for a new funding period of the #EEANorwayGrants! Over the next 7 years, EUR 3.2 billion will be provided to 15 EU countries to tackle challenges like the green transition, protecting democracy, and social inclusion. 🌍💚 Learn more about what this milestone means for the future of the Grants. Mission of Norway to the EU Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland Liechtensteinische Landesverwaltung Anders H. Eide Kristjan Andri Stefansson Pascal Schafhauser

We are pleased to introduce Thordur Jonsson (Sigtryggsson) from Iceland, who has joined the EFTA Secretariat as Deputy Secretary-General in Brussels.🇮🇸 Mr Jónsson served as Director of Trade Agreements at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland from 2020 to August 2024. He has also held positions at the Embassy of Iceland Brussels, including Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission. From 2012 to 2017 he was posted to Iceland’s Mission in Geneva. Mr Jónsson’s connection to EFTA spans nearly 20 years, as he started out as a Junior Professional at the EFTA Secretariat in 2005. Please join us in welcoming Thordur Jónsson as EFTA’s Deputy Secretary-General in Brussels.👋

Welcome to Knut Hermansen from Norway, who has joined the EFTA Secretariat as Deputy Secretary-General in Brussels. 🇳🇴 Mr Hermansen has a distinguished career in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having worked in the Ministry’s EEA Section since 2004. From 2015 to 2019 he was seconded as Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of the Mission of Norway to the EU in Brussels. He has also previously served at the EFTA Secretariat as Director of the Goods Division and as Senior Officer responsible for customs matters.🚢 With a deep understanding of EFTA and its mission, Mr Hermansen brings a wealth of experience in international trade and economic affairs. Please join us in wishing Knut Hermansen success as EFTA’s Deputy Secretary-General in Brussels.🎊

We are pleased to announce that Markus Schlagenhof from Switzerland has joined the EFTA Secretariat as Deputy Secretary-General in Geneva. 🇨🇭 Mr Schlagenhof has served as Ambassador and Delegate of the Federal Council for Trade Agreements and Head of the World Trade Division at SECO - State Secretariat for Economic Affairs since September 2016. With more than 30 years of experience in trade policy, he has held various roles in the World Trade Organization, OECD - OCDE and G20, as well as on Commodity Boards, and has worked extensively on EU and EFTA matters. Mr Schlagenhof has led significant free trade negotiations as chief negotiator for Switzerland and spokesperson for the EFTA States, including recent agreements with India and Indonesia and ongoing talks with Malaysia, Mercosur and Thailand.🤝🌍 Please join us in welcoming Markus Schlagenhof as EFTA’s Deputy Secretary-General in Geneva.

We are pleased to introduce our new EFTA Secretary-General, Kurt Jäger, from Liechtenstein. 🇱🇮 Mr Jäger served as Liechtenstein's Permanent Representative to EFTA, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations in Geneva from April 2021 to August 2024. His previous roles include Ambassador of Liechtenstein to the US, the EU and Belgium, as well as College Member of the EFTA Surveillance Authority from 2005 to 2010. He has over 25 years of professional experience in international regulatory affairs, of which 15 years were acquired in the airline industry and civil aviation administration. Please join us in welcoming Kurt Jäger as the new Secretary-General of the EFTA Secretariat.👋

"Complex is not always complicated if you are able to find solutions."💡 EFTA's free trade network is evolving, and so are its free trade agreements. Watch the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein, Dominique Hasler, explain why EFTA has emphasised adding new chapters on digital trade and SMEs in its recent free trade agreements. 🌍🤝 #freetrade #tradeagreements #internationaltrade #tradenetwork #liechtenstein #efta #trade #smes #digitaltrade

🎉We're celebrating 30 years of a close partnership! 🇮🇸🇱🇮🇳🇴🇪🇺 📊 The EEA EFTA States have remained among the EU’s top 10 trading partners for decades, thanks to their shared #internalmarket and reliable partnerships. Explore more ways the EEA creates opportunities and fosters collaboration through the #EEA30Years anniversary website 👉 https://lnkd.in/e3jA-Ft4 There's plenty more to discover. European Commission Eurostat Mission of Norway to the EU Embassy of Iceland Brussels #trade #tradingpartners #EUtrade #EEA

On 1 September, a new senior management team joined the EFTA Secretariat, marking a new chapter in our mission to promote free trade and economic integration. We welcome Kurt Jäger from Liechtenstein as our new Secretary-General, succeeding Siri Veseth Meling. Mr Jäger brings extensive experience from his roles as Liechtenstein’s Permanent Representative to EFTA, the WTO and the UN in Geneva, as well as his previous positions as Liechtenstein’s Ambassador to the US and the EU, and College Member of the EFTA Surveillance Authority. In Geneva, Markus Schlagenhof from Switzerland joins as Deputy Secretary-General, succeeding Frank Büchel. Mr Schlagenhof brings over 30 years of expertise in trade policy and has led many significant free trade negotiations as chief negotiator for Switzerland and spokesperson for EFTA. In Brussels, we welcome Deputy Secretaries-General Knut Hermansen from Norway and Thordur Jonsson (Sigtryggsson) from Iceland, succeeding Andri Lúthersson. Mr Hermansen has a distinguished career with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has deep ties to EFTA, having previously served as Director of the Goods Division and as Senior Officer. He has also served as Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of the Norwegian Mission to the EU in Brussels. Mr Jónsson’s rich experience includes serving as Director of Trade Agreements in Iceland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and as Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at Iceland’s Mission to the EU in Brussels. His connection to EFTA spans nearly 20 years, as he was a Junior Professional at the EFTA Secretariat in 2005. The EFTA Secretariat wishes our new senior management team the very best of luck and looks forward to their leadership in these exciting times for free trade and economic partnership! 

Today marks the end of my tenure as Secretary-General of the European Free Trade Association. 🇮🇸🇱🇮🇳🇴🇨🇭 It has been an honour to serve both as Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of EFTA these past years. International cooperation is more important than ever, and EFTA is a true example of successful collaboration. In line with EFTA’s mission to promote free trade and economic integration, it has been particularly rewarding to be part of key achievements, such as celebrating the 30th anniversary of the EEA Agreement and concluding the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with India. 🌍🤝 I would like to sincerely thank our member states for their excellent cooperation, which I have appreciated greatly. I would also like to extend a big thank you to my dear colleagues in the EFTA Secretariat - it has been a privilege leading and being part of an organisation with such professional, enthusiastic and dedicated people.   I am confident that EFTA will remain a key player in promoting free trade and economic integration, underpinned by a shared commitment to democratic values and economic growth. I look forward to witnessing EFTA's continued success and I wish EFTA’s incoming senior management team all the best.