The Europe Committee hears from witnesses on Norway's membership of the EEA
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Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer
Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer asks if how long would it generally takes to negotiate free-trade deals with other countries.
Marius Vahl from the European Free Trade Association says the length of time it takes to negotiate free-trade deals varies from one to ten years.
SNP MSP Joan McAlpine asks about the Faroe Islands.
Dag Wernø Holter from the European Free Trade Association says the Faroe Islands have asked for closer relationship with EFTA and may become a member of EFTA in the future.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Faroes - literally Sheep Islands - are barren and often spectacular
The Faroes, an archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic, constitute an autonomous region of Denmark.
While the islands' rugged coastlines and extensive bird life are a draw for some, the Faroes also offer the prospect of major offshore reserves of oil and gas.
These potential resources have given extra weight to the argument for full independence from Denmark.
SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks if EFTA member states are allowed to opt-out of implementing policies or decisions.
Dag Wernø Holter from the European Free Trade Association says he doesn't think there are opt-out options on free movement.
Marius Vahl from the European Free Trade Association says the dynamic would change with the UK joining because EFTA would change from four to five member states.
Mr Vahl says, therefore, there would be five people around the table who would have to agree on things.
He says currently there have been no exemptions or exceptions that have been agreed.
Mr Holter says, where it has turned out not to be possible to agree with the four member states, individual EFTA members have reached trade deals on their own.
He says there is some flexibility there.
The European Free Trade Association, external:
Image source, EFTASNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks about what would happen if the UK joined EFTA.
Dag Wernø Holter says it would change the dynamics but to say any more would be difficult.
Mr Holter says all the EFTA states have strong economic ties to the UK and it is in their interests to maintain these.
He says EFTA states want to retain strong economic and political ties with the UK.
Image source, AFPNorway is left out in the cold when EU discussions take place
Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw says EFTA do not have a vote or a role in decision making in the EU.
Mr Carlaw asks how successful EFTA is in influencing the EU.
Dag Wernø Holter says it is very difficult to give such an assessment.
Mr Holter says EFTA have no formal access to EU discussions.
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Image source, Getty ImagesMarius Vahl from the European Free Trade Association says the customs union between the EU and Turkey has left both parties unhappy.
Committee convener Joan McAlpine says the UK government is looking at a bespoke deal with the EU and is that likely?
Dag Wernø Holter from the European Free Trade Association says the committee should ask EU representatives not EFTA that question.
Mr Holter says Switzerland has a bespoke deal with the EU.
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Image source, bbcDag Wernø Holter from the European Free Trade Association
Dag Wernø Holter from the European Free Trade Association says Austria, Finland and Sweden left EFTA to join the EU in 1995.
Mr Holter says the basic principles of the EEA agreement were to extend the single market to the EFTA states.
EFTA now consists of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
He says EFTA states are not part of the customs union but have full access to the EU single market.
Image source, bbcThe relationship between Scotland and Norway has been a good one!
We will now move to the second evidence session:
Image source, bbcTore Myhre from the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise
Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald asks what else is possible if the UK does not remain a member of the single market.
Tore Myhre from the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise says Norway wants to see the closest possible links beteween the UK and the EU and the single market .
Mr Myhre says: "A sort of EEA agreement would probably be the best solution."
Dr Ulf Sverdrup from Norwegian Institute for International Affairs says "it is important for the UK and the Scots to find compromises".
Dr Sverdrup says solutions must be found that protect the rights of minorities and that are feasible and acceptable to the market.
He must now leave to catch a plane.
Image source, bbcDr Ulf Sverdrup
SNP MSP and committee convener Joan McAlpine asks where migration fits in to the EFTA-EEA agreement.
Ms McAlpine says free movement of people is the compromise Norway had to make.
Dr Ulf Sverdrup from Norwegian Institute for International Affairs says up until 1994 did not have much migration.
Dr Sverdrup says after the enlargement of the EU Norway has had a rapid increase of migrants coming to Norway, per capita more or less the same as the UK.
He says this has been beneficial to the economy but has had a downward pressure on salaries.
Image source, CowsNorwegian farmers are happy agriculture lies outwith the EEA agreement
Tore Myhre from the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise says in retrospect Norway made a mistake keeping seafood out of the EEA agreement.
Dr Ulf Sverdrup says the farmers are happy agriculture is not in the EEA agreement.
Image source, bbcDr Ulf Sverdrup from Norwegian Institute for International Affairs
SNP MSP Emma Harper asks about trade relationships in fishing and agriculture.
Ms Harper asks about tariffs and barriers.
Dr Ulf Sverdrup from Norwegian Institute for International Affairs says agriculture is not part of the EEA agreement.
Dr Sverdrup says Norway has some discretion to adjust its tariffs and quotas on agricultural trade and products.
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Image source, bbcConservative MSP Jackson Carlaw
Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw says he does not know how enthusiastic the UK government is about EFTA membership.
Mr Carlaw asks what obstacles there might be for the UK to
Dr Ulf Sverdrup from Norwegian Institute for International Affairs says: "In Norway, We love the Brits, We love the Scots."
He says there are many concerns about the UK joining EFTA, but he does not think the EFTA governments will oppose it.