“It was a true pleasure to host the first physical gathering of the EFTA Ministers for 20 months. This occasion has been an invaluable opportunity for us to get to know each other better and to discuss important topics in an informal setting while drawing inspiration from the wonderful natural setting of Siglufjördur. I’m looking forward to our cooperation for the next 12 months,” said Gudlaugur Thór Thórðarson after chairing the meeting. On 6 July 2021, EFTA Ministers convened for an informal meeting in Siglufjörður, Iceland, as an opening to Iceland’s one-year chairmanship of the EFTA Council. It was the first physical meeting of the EFTA Ministers since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting was convened by Gudlaugur Thór Thórðarson, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation of Iceland. Other ministers present were Dominique Hasler, Liechtenstein’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport; Iselin Nybø, Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry; and Guy Parmelin, Switzerland’s President of the Swiss Confederation, Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.
Ministers had a broad range of topics to discuss, including current trends in the global trade environment and EFTA’s mid-term perspective and strategy. Ministers also shared information on respective domestic political situations, with regard to their work for EFTA.
