The Importance of the European Economic Area for Austria

The treaty establishing the EEA is intended to abolish most of the technical and administrative barriers which impede the mobility of labour and capital between the EC and EFTA. In 1990, 75 percent of Austria's merchandise exports and 81 percent of Austria's service exports went to EEA countries. From Austria's point of view, the EEA is a useful stage of European integration on the way to full membership in the EC.