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Welcome from the Chair

Welcome to the website of DEEA - the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Switzerland and Norway and to the EU-Iceland Joint Parliamentary Committee and the European Economic Area (EEA) Joint Parliamentary Committee.

DEEA covers the EU's bilateral inter-parliamentary relations with Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Moreover, it also assures for the democratic oversight of the implementation of the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, though the EEA Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Since its entry into force in 1994, the EEA Agreement has proven to be a success story. It has been effective in extending the EU's Internal Market to third countries (Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein) and has brought tremendous benefits to our citizens, whilst opening up new opportunities for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.

Twice per year, the DEEA Members meet with their counterparts from Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (as observers) in the framework of the EEA Joint Parliamentary Committee to exchange views and adopt resolutions that provide substantive input and orientations to the executive branch of the EEA.

Over the past years we have been able to develop our relationship further by establishing a deep political dialogue in various areas of mutual interest, such as strengthening our citizens' rights, addressing the challenges of migration and refugees, and boosting our cooperation in the field of security and defence, following up the implementation of the Paris agreement on climate change and, last but not least, developing our dialogue on the future of the Arctic, Baltic and the High North. On the last issue, the DEEA participates in a number of multilateral parliamentary bodies focusing on regional cooperation.

In these challenging times for the European Union and our continent, it is important to have good neighbours who share the same fundamental values. Our relations with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are therefore of utmost importance for all sides.

Jørn DOHRMANN