The Joint Parliamentary Committee of the EEA (European Economic Area), adopted a Resolution on Food Safety in the EEA on 16 March 1999.

The EU-Bulgaria Joint Consultative Committee which is a joint body of the economic and social interest groups of Bulgaria, on the one hand, and of similar bodies represented at the European Economic and Social Committee, on the other hand, held its first inaugural meeting in Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria on 17 January 1999.

The EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an associative body made up of eighteen representatives of Turkish economic and social interest groups and an equal number of members of the Economic and Social Committee, held its fifth meeting in Brussels on 21 January 1998 under the joint chairmanship of Mr Hüsamettin Kavi, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, and Mr Roger Briesch, president of the ESC Workers' Group.

The EEA Council : - reaffirmed its commitment to the principles outlined in the Agreement and in particular the creation of a dynamic and homogeneous European Economic Area ; - underlined the important role which the EEA Agreement is playing in the process of European integration ; - noted with satisfaction that the Agreement is functioning effectively under the management of the EEA Joint Committee and took note of the Interim Report which that Committee had submitted ; - noted with satisfaction that the Joint Parliamentary Commit ...[+++]tee and the Consultative Committee of the EEA have also begun their activities in a spirit of constructive co-operation and that the European Investment Bank has already taken the necessary measures to implement the financial mechanism as soon as all other necessary institutional procedures are finalised ; - welcomed in particular the Decision of the EEA Joint Committee to integrate the "interim acquis" published by the Community between 31 July 1991 and 31 December 1993 and therefore not included in the Agreement signed in Oporto on 2 May 1992 ; - noted the Assent given to this Decision by the European Parliament at its Plenary Session on 5 May 1994 and expressed the hope that the ratification would be completed in time for the afore-mentioned decision to enter into force throughout the EEA from 1 July 1994 ; - strongly supported the EEA Joint Committee in its efforts to continue developing further the Agreement, in parallel with the internal market rules of the EU.

Of the EU institutions, the Economic and Social Committee has to date produced an opinion [6], which broadly supports the mixed approach of the Green Paper, whilst calling for more clarification.

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.