Israel this week signed a free-trade agreement with the nations of the European Free Trade Association.
The accord opens up reciprocal trade arrangements with Austria, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, similar to those now enjoyed with the United States and the European Community.
The agreement was signed here Thursday by Israeli Minister of Commerce and Industry Micha Harish and Norwegian Minister of Trade and Shipping Bjorn Tore Godal in his capacity as chairman of the council of EFTA, as the group is known.
Signatories included senior officials of the other three EFTA states.
The accord is expected to be implemented in January after ratification by Israel and EFTA member countries.
Negotiations on the agreement opened in Geneva in June 1991. It was initialed two months ago after 10 rounds of talks.
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