From EFTA to EC/EU and Back to EFTA? The European Economic Area (EEA) as a possible scenario for the UK-EU relations after brexit

Abstract

Brexit is announced to take place and it appears, that the most probable scenario for the UK is the “Norway-Option”, i.e., to (again) become a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and join the EEA. The chapter identifies the major claims of the leave-campaign to analyse, whether by doing so, the Brexit proponents will achieve what they campaigned for. Furthermore, the paper explains the functioning of the EEA, exploring the potential changes for the UK, the EU, and the EEA/EFTA.