Priorities of foreign policy
Finally, challenges arise for Liechtenstein also in regard to the future financial impact of
existing European cooperation. Especially in connection with the EEA Agreement, massive
increases in Liechtenstein’s program contributions must be expected. High priority should be
attached to the aspect of increasing costs. The new Multiannual Financial Framework 20142020 in the EU, which is scheduled to be adopted soon, will have a direct impact on the funding
of programs in which the EEA/EFTA states participate. Participation in the currently 20 EU
programs has been very largely positive so far, but especially in regard to the very expensive EU
programs such as the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development
or the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme, certain questions arise concerning the cost/benefit ratio. For the coming period, a significant expansion of the contributions
to be paid by the EEA/EFTA states and accordingly also Liechtenstein must be expected. In
addition, more and more EU programs will in the future be consolidated into groups or frame
work programs, which will make it more difficult for Liechtenstein to participate selectively.
Special attention must therefore be paid in the coming years to the negotiations concerning
Liechtenstein’s future participation in the EEA programs and in the funds connected with our
Schengen association, as well as to the assessment of the cost/benefit ratio.
Multilateralism
Membership in international organisations – especially the Council of Europe, the IAEA, the
OSCE, the United Nations1 and the WTO – and the multilateral work that takes place in these
organisations are of special importance in several respects to Liechtenstein as a small state.
Since these organisations generally honour the principle of equality of all states, membership
is an important way to safeguard and shape Liechtenstein’s sovereignty, playing a crucial role
in Liechtenstein’s accession to the CSCE (1975, transformation into OSCE in 1994), the Council of Europe (1978) and the United Nations (1990). The principle of equality of all states is not
only of direct relevance for votes and elections, but also offers Liechtenstein the opportunity
to participate actively in the content of selected priority areas and to develop its own profile.
In this way, foreign policy can help create a counterbalance to the often one-sided and
negatively connoted association of Liechtenstein with issues relating to the financial centre
The principle
and also help develop a positive and independent profile in specific areas. The priorities of Liechtenstein’s foreign policy serve as a guide to content in this regard, and
of the sovereign equality
of all states makes it possible
to develop an own content
and an independent voice.
they are used to derive the relevant subtopics. When shaping its independent profile,
Liechtenstein is also aided by its position within the framework of European integration as an EEA member: On the one hand, this creates a close relationship with the
most important partners, especially the EU. On the other hand, there is no compulsion for Liechtenstein to join the EU’s positions, giving Liechtenstein corresponding
independence in terms of content. Close cooperation also exists with the EFTA partners
Switzerland, Norway and Iceland as well as other like-minded countries beyond Europe,
for instance within the framework of the JUSCANZ group2 or the Like-Minded Group3.
1 Liechtenstein is not a member of the various UN specialised agencies (FAO, UNESCO, WHO etc.), but it is a member
of other organisations such as the CTBTO, UPU, ITU etc.
2 The JUSCANZ states are Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, South
Korea and the United States.
2 Within the OSCE, the Like-Minded Group (Iceland, Canada, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) was established
in the mid-1990s. The goal of the group is to ensure a well-run, well-appointed, and dynamic organisation with transparent procedures.
| 17