EU policy of the EFTA countries

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K03601
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: International relations
• Research Institution: Toyo Eiwa University
• Principal Investigator: Kokubo Yasuyuki 東洋英和女学院大学, 国際社会学部, 教授 (60221959)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ＥＦＴＡ / ＥＵ / ノルウェー / アイスランド / スイス / リヒテンシュタイン / 小国 / ＥＥＡ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I was able to clarify how the four small countries that are members of EFTA are trying to maintain their independence and national interests without joining the EU, which has become a huge political system and single market. Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, which are members of the EEA (European Economic Area), have secured channels for direct and indirect involvement in the EU's policy-making process, and are proactive in preventing the enactment of laws that are disadvantageous to their national interests. By preventing such activities, even if they appear to be bound by EU law, behind the scenes they are avoiding coercive control from the EU. Additionally, Switzerland, which is not a member of the EEA, is striving to maintain its national identity by entering into various bilateral agreements with the EU. The diplomatic skills of small countries around the EU have become clear.

Free Research Field

国際政治学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでＥＵ周辺諸国は、ＥＵが定める法律を受動的に順守させられることを回避するために積極的にＥＵ加盟を目指してきたが、本研究により、ＥＵが周辺諸国との良好な関係を維持するための枠組みとして提案したＥＥＡ（欧州経済領域）制度に基づき、周辺小国は巧みに直接ＥＵの政策形成過程に関わることで、自らの国益を守りつつ、ＥＵ市場への参入を可能にして経済的発展を維持していることが明らかになった。ＥＦＴＡ諸国が、国家としての対面を保ちつつ、ＥＵ統合と共に歩む戦略は、ヨーロッパ地域で主権国家体制が変容しようとしている歴史的な過渡期にあって、ＥＵ加盟反対の国内世論と国益維持の板挟みになっている小国の知恵とも言える。