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The meeting took place in Brussels on 18 May 2015. The EEA Council acknowledged the key role played by the EEA Agreement throughout the last 20 years, by highlighting that the Agreement has been robust and capable of adapting to changes in EU treaties and EU enlargements. The EEA Council recognised that good functioning and further development of this extended Single Market would be a key driver for renewed growth in Europe.
An orientation debate was held on the Digital Agenda, with particular attention to the Digital Single Market Strategy adopted by the Commission on 6 May.
Within the framework of the political dialogue there was a discussion on Ukraine and Russia, Eastern Partnership and Syria, Iraq, Libya and ISIL/Da'esh, including combating radicalization and extremist violence in Europe. The political dialogue was chaired by Ms Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica on behalf of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.
At the EEA Council the EEA EFTA States were represented by Mr Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Mr Vidar Helgesen, Minister of EEA and EU Affairs at the Office of the Prime Minister of Norway, and Ms Aurelia Frick, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein, as well as by Members of the Council of the European Union and representatives of the European Commission and the European External Action Service.
The EEA Council meets twice a year with aim to provide political impulse for the enhancement of the functioning of the EEA Agreement. EEA Council conclusions combine a wide range of questions characterising relations between the EU and EEA EFTA countries. For example, the main subjects are: the participation of the EEA EFTA countries in the extended single market, incorporation of EEA relevant EU acts into EEA Agreement, participation in EU Agencies, negotiations on renewal of the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms, negotiations on further liberalisation of trade in agricultural products etc.
