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EU/Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway Agreements: Financial Mechanisms 2009-2014 and imports of certain fish and fisheries products 2009-2014

2010/0129(NLE)

This document details the contents of the following texts:

  1. the Agreement between the EU and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway on an EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014;
  2. the Agreement between the EU and Norway on a Norwegian Financial Mechanism for the period 2009-2014;
  3. the Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the EEC and Iceland concerning special provisions applicable to imports into the EU of certain fish and fisheries products 2009-2014 and;
  4. the Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the EEC and Norway concerning special provisions applicable to imports into the  EU of certain fish and fisheries products 2009-2014.

The main elements of these agreements and protocols may be summarised as follows:

1) Agreement on the Financial Mechanism of the EEA for the period 2009-2014: this Agreement shall contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area and to the strengthening of their relations with the Beneficiary States, through financial contributions in the priority sectors. The total amount of the financial contribution shall be EUR 988,5 million, to be made available for commitment in annual tranches of EUR 197,7 million over the period running from 1 May 2009 to 30 April 2014, inclusive.

The financial contributions shall be available in the following priority sectors: (a) Environmental protection and management; (b) Climate change and renewable energy; (c) Civil society; (d) Human and social development; (e) Protecting cultural heritage.

Academic research may be eligible for funding in so far as it is targeted at one or more of the priority sectors.

Other measures include:

  • setting maximum annual envelopes for a number of Member States from 1 May 2009 to 31 December  2013;
  • principle of a review of the situation in November 2011 and November 2013, to reallocate any funds not committed to high priority projects in the beneficiary states;
  • close links with the Norwegian financial mechanism (see below);
  • accountability for all implementation phases of the agreement;
  • provision of measures to implement and monitor programmes which have been financed;
  • review of the mechanism after five years of implementation.

2) Agreement on an EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014: Norway shall undertake to contribute for a five year period to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area, and to the strengthening of its relations with the Beneficiary States, through a separate Norwegian Financial Mechanism in the priority sectors: (a) Carbon Capture and Storage; (b) Green Industry Innovation; (c) Research and Scholarship; (d) Human and Social Development; (e) Justice and Home Affairs; (f) Promotion of Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue.

The total amount of the financial contribution shall be EUR 800 million, to be made available for commitment in annual tranches of EUR 160 million over the period running from 1 May 2009 to 30 April 2014, inclusive.

Measures are also set out as regards:

  • the allocation to each beneficiary a percentage of funds for the promotion of decent work and the tripartite dialogue, managed by an entity designated by Norway;
  • setting the maximum cost of the Norwegian contribution to a given programme (no more than 85% of the programme cost);
  • the review of the situation in November 2011 and November 2013, to reallocate any non-committed available funds to high priority projects in any Beneficiary State;
  • the close coordination of contributions from the EFTA States in the framework of this mechanism with the EEA Financial Mechanism;
  • setting specific provisions to implement programmes funded through the mechanism;
  • the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of planned programmes.

3) Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the EEC and Iceland: the protocol lays down the special provisions applicable to imports into the European Union of certain fish and fishery products originating in Iceland. The annual duty free tariff quotas are provided for in the Annex to this Protocol. These tariff quotas shall cover the period from 1 May 2009 to 30 April 2014. The quota levels shall be reviewed by the end of that period taking into account all relevant interests.

4) Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the EEC and Norway: this protocol lays down the special provisions applicable to imports into the European Union of certain fish and fishery products originating in Norway. The annual duty free tariff quotas are provided for in the Annex to this Protocol. These tariff quotas shall cover the period from 1 May 2009 to 30 April 2014. Norway shall take the necessary steps to ensure the continuation of the regulation laid down by Royal Decree of 21 April 2006 allowing for free transit of fish and fishery products landed in Norway from vessels flying the flag of a Member State of the European Union.

Pending the completion of the procedures relating to the conclusions, the Agreements shall be applied on a provisional basis.