The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member countries located primarily in Europe, covering an area of approximately 4 million square kilometers. The EU operates a single market, which allows the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people within the EU member states.
One of the key objectives of the EU is to promote free trade between its member states and with other countries around the world. To achieve this goal, the EU has signed trade agreements with a number of countries outside the EU, including several European countries.
The EU`s trade agreements with non-EU European countries are known as European trade agreements. These agreements govern the trade relations between the EU and these countries and aim to increase trade by removing or reducing trade barriers, such as tariffs and quotas.
Some of the key European trade agreement countries include Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. These countries are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which is a regional trade organization that promotes free trade and economic integration among its members.
The EU has also signed trade agreements with other non-EU European countries, such as Ukraine and Georgia, to promote closer economic ties and increase trade. These agreements aim to facilitate the movement of goods, services, and investment between the EU and these countries.
One of the most significant European trade agreements is the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, which is a free trade agreement between the EU, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The EEA Agreement allows these countries to participate in the EU`s single market, giving them access to the EU`s free trade area and removing trade barriers between the EU and these countries.
Another important European trade agreement is the European Union–Switzerland Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which aims to increase trade between the EU and Switzerland by removing or reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. The EU and Switzerland have also signed a number of other agreements covering areas such as agriculture, transport, and research.
In conclusion, European trade agreements play an important role in promoting free trade and economic integration between the EU and non-EU European countries. These agreements help to increase trade by removing or reducing trade barriers, and provide a framework for closer economic cooperation and collaboration.