The change was made in response to a proposal from the Member States. At the meeting, the national delegations welcomed the new arrangements and highlighted the advantages of holding joint meetings. The ad-hoc chair noted that the new structure provided an excellent opportunity to discuss cross-cutting issues. A good example of a horizontal issue relevant for all Subcommittees was the reporting on the EEA EFTA budget process. Further streamlining and coordination of procedures will be agreed in advance of the next joint meeting of the Subcommittees in January 2010.

A key issue raised at various points throughout the meeting was the importance of submitting EEA EFTA comments. The Secretariat gave examples of recent comments on food information, novel foods and the proposals for a new system on European financial supervision. The Secretariat noted that the comments had been well received by the EU and that it was important for the EEA EFTA States to make more use of this mechanism.

The Subcommittees discussed a range of important EU initiatives that were currently being examined by the relevant Working Groups, such as the Renewable Directive, the Third Legislative Package for the internal energy market and the incorporation of aviation into the Emissions Trading Scheme. The Committees were also pleased to have finalised discussions on the EFTA side on the so-called “NEC” directive which concerns the national emissions ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants.

A new agency, ACER, will be established in relation to the third energy package. The Secretariat reported that the Commission had so far adopted a positive stance towards EEA EFTA participation in this Agency. However, the Secretariat also emphasised the importance of discussing overall EEA EFTA participation in EU agencies at a horizontal level in order to ensure a comprehensive and unified strategy in these matters. The chair and the national delegations agreed that this was an issue of high importance.

The Secretariat was pleased to report that a draft text of the Pan-Euro-Med Regional Origin Convention was approved at a Working Group meeting in Brussels on 29 October. The Convention is now set to be endorsed by the Euro-Med Ministerial meeting in Tunisia in December 2009.