EFTA European Free Trade Association : Consultative Committee and Ambassadors discuss EEA state of play

'Financial services are essential for a well-functioning Single Market, and we have now agreed on a solution that ensures regulatory homogeneity throughout the EEA, and continued access for EFTA EEA operators to the market,' Ambassador Monauni said.

When referring to Brexit, Ms Monauni noted that UK's withdrawal from the EU will have consequences for the EEA Agreement, as the UK will consequently leave the EEA cooperation when leaving the EU.

'It is crucial to have a continuous exchange of information between the EU and the EEA EFTA States on the future relations between the EU and the UK as soon as Article 50 is triggered,' she said.

'Because the EEA EFTA States are so closely integrated in the Internal Market through the EEA Agreement, we are not an ordinary third party, and we have a legitimate expectation to be consulted in any discussions that affect the EEA Agreement. The EEA EFTA States have already raised the need for close consultation on this issue with our EU partners, both in the EEA Council and in the EEA Joint Committee.'

The future of work and labour law in a digital age

Earlier in the day, the Consultative Committee had a joint meeting with two EFTA Working Groups; the WG on health and safety at work, and the WG on labour law and on free movement of persons, employment and social policy. The extensive half-day agenda covered a range of topics.

Several speakers from the European Commission were also invited to brief the working groups on the European Pillar of Social Rights and the New Skills Agenda for Europe. On the agenda was also a panel debate on the future of work and labour law in a digital age.

In the panel debate, representatives from BusinessEurope, The Conference Board, The European Trade Union Confederation and a professor in Law at Oxford University were among the speakers, highlighting the challenges and possibilities of work and labour law in an ever expanding digital age where demand and supply for workers, jobs and services are in flux.