European Free Trade Association

Abstract

After the failure of the free trade area negotiations in the OEEC at the end of 1958, the industrial federations of the countries that are now members of EFTA, suggested that a free trade zone be established between those countries that remained outside the European Communities. Government officials of these seven countries met at Saltsjöbaden near Stockholm in June 1959 to draw up a draft plan for a European Free Trade Association. At a ministerial meeting the following month it was recommended to the respective Governments that such an Association be set up (Communiqué of 21 July). Negotiations for a Convention were completed by November 1959 (Resolution of 20 November), and the Convention establishing the European Free Trade Association was signed at Stockholm on 4 January 1960. It came into force on 3 May 1960.