The delegation of the EFTA States participating in the EEA was headed by Mr ASGRIMSSON, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland. 2. The EEA Council noted the progress report presented by the Chairman of the EEA Joint Committee. 3. The EEA Council assessed the overall functioning and development to date of the EEA Agreement and: - noted the continued progress of the Joint Committee in incorporating relevant Community legislation into the EEA Agreement and the need for continued support of its work if the objective of complete alignment of EEA and Community legislation were to be fully achieved; - recognized the crucial role of uniform implementation of legislation for the success of the internal market extended to the EEA and welcomed the ...[+++] good progress in integrating EEA legislation in Liechtenstein following its full participation from 1 May 1995; - noted that the provisions of the Agreement for development of cooperation had led to inclusion of new areas in the fields of both programmes and legislation; with regard to committees managing programmes in which the EFTA/EEA countries participate under Articles 81 and 82 of the Agreement, the EEA Council underlined the need to ensure the participation of the EFTA/EEA countries as soon as EFTA commitment has been assured; - welcomed the continuing participation of the EFTA States, through the consultation and information procedures, in the shaping of EEA-relevant legislation in preparation in the EU and noted the EFTA/EEA States' interest in participating in certain committees of similar characteristics to those listed in Protocol 37; - welcomed the resumption of formal meetings of the EEA Consultative Committee and the continued close contacts and cooperation at informal level; - noted the continuing difference of view between the EU and its EFTA partners on the EU's use of Articles 112 and 113 of the EEA Agreement in relation to fish.

The EFTA Secretariat and the EEAS then consult on the timing of the decision’s adoption in the EEA Joint Committee.

The Council shall be supported in its mission by an EEA Consultative Committee, composed of equal numbers of members of the Economic and Social Committee and members of the EFTA Consultative Committee.

The meeting was attended by the members of the Council of the European Union, the responsible member of the Commission and members of the Governments of the EFTA states participating in the EEAA. 2. The EEA Council noted the progress report presented by the President of the EEA Joint Committee. 3. The EEA Council assessed the overall functioning and development to date of the EEA Agreement and: - expressed satisfaction at the continued good functioning of the Agreement and the participation of all parties in the EEA in the development and realisation of the internal market; - welcomed the increasing importance of the consultation and ...[+++]information procedures between the EU and the EFTA/EEA States in the shaping of EEA relevant legislation and initiatives under preparation in the EU; - welcomed the contribution of the EEA Joint Committee in maintaining the dynamism of the Agreement and thereby the homogeneity of the European Economic Area; - welcomed the active contribution in the form of reports, debate and resolutions made by the Joint Parliamentary Committee, most recently at its meeting of 20 November in Vaduz; - noted with satisfaction that the next meeting of the EEA Consultative Committee is scheduled for January 1996, as well as the continuing close informal contact and co-operation between the social partners in the EFTA States and the European Union; - noted that the provisions of the Agreement for development of cooperation had led to participation by the EFTA States in new areas, such as culture, Helios II (programmes for the disabled) and that participation in further areas is being considered.

The EEA's institutional framework consists of the EEA Council, responsible for giving political impetus to the implementation of the Agreement and laying down general guidelines for the Joint Committee; the EEA Joint Committee itself, whose work should contribute to closer mutual understanding between the Community and five EFTA countries; and the EEA Consultative Committee, a forum for contacts between representatives of the social partners.

The EEA's institutional framework consists of the EEA Council, responsible for giving political impetus to the implementation of the Agreement and laying down general guidelines for the Joint Committee; the EEA Joint Committee itself, whose work should contribute to closer mutual understanding between the Community and EFTA countries; and the EEA Consultative Committee, a forum for contacts between representatives of the social partners.