The Council finalised preparations for the upcoming Ministerial meeting in Geneva, where the intention is to sign a free trade agreement with Montenegro. The Ministers will also meet the EFTA Parliamentary Committee, which consists of representatives of the national parliaments of the EFTA countries.

In the context of long-standing cooperation between EFTA and the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), the Council approved a grant to support CEN’s work. The Council noted that for the period January to September 2011, a total of 51 grant agreements were approved providing over EUR 1 million in support to the European standardisation bodies.

With regard to relations with countries outside the European Union, the Council reviewed the results of the ninth round of free trade negotiations with India held in New Delhi in October, and looked ahead to the next round which is planned for the end of November.

The next Council meeting will take place on 8 December 2011.