The Norwegian Delegation reported from a Joint Working Group review meeting on Processed Agricultural Products that had been held in Brussels on 16 June. The parties exchanged information on trade statistics and discussed the functioning of the present agreement.

Regarding the extension of the pan-Euro-Med Free Trade System to the Western Balkans, the Secretariat reported that a bilateral meeting between DG TAXUD and EFTA had been held on 15 May, followed by a Pan-Euro-Med Working Group meeting on 28 May concerning the development of a Regional Origin Convention. The Commission had indicated that the convention texts would be presented to the Pan-Euro-Med Working Group for approval at the meeting in the autumn of 2009.

In the field of energy, the Secretariat reported that the Climate and Energy Package had been published in the Official Journal on 5 June. The final Renewable Directive would now be assessed by the Working Group on Energy Matters, whilst the Working Group on the Environment would handle the other parts of the package.

The Secretariat also informed the Committee that the Working Group on Energy Matters held an informal meeting with the Commission on 18 June regarding the Third Legislative Package for the Internal Energy Market. The final text of the package has been agreed by the European Parliament and the Council, and it will be formally adopted on 25 June. Publication is foreseen in September 2009.