The Republic of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway and the Swiss Confederation (hereinafter referred to as the “Member States ”);

Having regard to the conclusion on 4 January 1960, between the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Norway, the Portuguese Republic, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the Convention establishing the European Free Trade Association (hereinafter referred to as the “ Convention “ );

Having regard to the association with the Republic of Finland and its subsequent accession on 1 January 1986, and to the accessions by the Republic of Iceland on 1 March 1970 and by the Principality of Liechtenstein on 1 September 1991;

Having regard to the successive withdrawals from the Convention by the Kingdom of Denmark and the United Kingdom on 1 January 1973; the Republic of Portugal on 1 January 1986; the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden on 1 January 1995;

Having regard to the free trade agreements between the Member States on the one hand and third parties on the other;

Reaffirming the high priority they attach to the privileged relationship between the Member States and to the facilitation of continuity in their respective good relations with the European Union , which are based on proximity, long-standing common values and European identity;

Resolved to deepen the co-operation instituted within the European Free Trade Association , further facilitating the free movement of goods, aiming at the progressive attainment of free movement of persons and the progressive liberalisation of trade in services and investment, further opening up the public procurement markets in the EFTA States, and providing for the appropriate protection of intellectual property rights, under fair conditions of competition;

Building on their respective rights and obligations under the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization and other multilateral and bilateral instruments of co-operation;

Recognising the need for mutually supportive trade and environmental policies in order to achieve the objective of sustainable development;

Affirming their commitment to the observance of recognised core labour standards, noting their endeavours to promote such standards in the appropriate multilateral fora and expressing their belief that economic growth and development fostered by increased trade and further trade liberalisation contribute to the promotion of these standards;