Formal negotiations on a free trade agreement with Cyprus started in March 1998, with Canada started in October 1998 and with Chile in December 2000. Each member country is represented and has one vote, though decisions tend to be by consensus. The Council is assisted by a number of committees, including the Committee of Origin and Custom Experts, Committee of Trade Experts, Economic Committee, Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, and Committee on Third Country Relations. The EEA EFTA States have established a Surveillance Authority and a Court to ensure implementation of the EEA Agreement. Political direction is given by the EEA Council which meets twice a year at ministerial level, while the on-going operation of the Agreement is overseen by the EEA Joint Committee.
Legislative power remains with national governments and parliaments.