CARDIFF – The National Assembly for Wales has today passed a motion calling for “full and unfettered access to the European Single Market, through membership of the EEA and/or EFTA”.
This is a welcome step in the right direction from the Senedd to. The amendment tabled by Plaid Cymru and Ynys Môn AM, Rhun ap Iorweth has completely overturned the original motion put forward by UKIP Wales and Mid and West Wales AM, Neil Hamilton.
Responding to the news, Wales For Europe spokesperson, Peter Gilbey has said, “This is most welcomed news from the Senedd this evening. It’s clearly in Wales’ economic and social interest to maintain as close as possible links with Europe”.
The European Economic Area is an agreement which provides for the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital within the European Single Market.
The European Free Trade Association is a regional trade organisation and free trade area consisting of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. It was created as an alternative trading bloc to the then European Economic Community (the precursor to the EU).
The agenda can be found under Item 8 here.
The debate can be viewed here.
Voting and results can be viewed here.