Priorities of foreign policy it possible to avoid reintroducing controls of persons at the borders with our Customs Treaty partner and neighbouring Schengen state of Switzerland. In light of the smooth functioning of the EEA, the Liechtenstein Government noted in a report in 2010 – on the occasion of 15 years of EEA membership – that Liechtenstein’s current integration status is deemed appropriate and that it should be considered an excellent starting point for any other integration scenario that might become necessary in the future. Already in 2009, the Liechtenstein Government appointed a working group composed of members of representatives of the Government and the public administration on the topic of «European integration», dealing with possible scenarios relating to European integration and the resulting options for Liechtenstein. Since Iceland submitted an application to join the EU in 2009, the question of the future of the EEA has become more urgent than before. In principle, it hast to be assumed that the EEA can be continued institutionally even without Iceland. Further developments to be observed include the recently published study by the Norwegian government on the EEA, the discussions between Switzerland and the EU on the continuation and institutional design of the bilateral agreements, and the talks between the European External Action Service and the small states of Andorra, San Marino and Monaco concerning an association model. In this context, the Liechtenstein Government commissioned a study from the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in Brussels on the possible future developments of the EEA and Liechtenstein’s integration prospects. The results of this independent study will be published by the end of 2012. Via the EEA Financial Mechanism, Liechtenstein – together with its EEA/EFTA partners Iceland and Norway – makes a contribution to the equalisation and reduction of economic and social disparities within the EEA. In analogy to the EU-internal cohesion funds, financial resources are made available in defined areas to 15 beneficiary states – namely the «new» EU member states admitted over the past decade as well as Spain, Greece and Portugal. These financial resources amount to a total of EUR 988.5 million as part of the New Financial Mechanism 2009-2014; Liechtenstein’s contribution makes up slightly more than 1% of the total amount or about EUR 10 million. These «EEA Grants» at the same time serve to strengthen bilateral co­ Liechtenstein’s operation between donor and recipient countries. In the context of Schengen, Liechtenstein also participates in solidarity instruments such as the external borders agency current integration status should be considered an excellent starting point for any other integration scenario. FRONTEX, the EU External Borders Fund, and soon also the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), which provides financial and logistical support to countries specially affected by migration. As part of its EEA membership, Liechtenstein regularly takes part in political dialogues with the EU at the ministerial and expert level. These meetings offer Liechtenstein valuable opportunities to discuss current foreign policy issues directly with the competent services of the EU and to reconcile relevant positions. In light of the announced reevaluation of the EEA Agreement by the EU by the end of 2012, including an assessment of the need for future adjustments to the agreement, certain develop­ ments on the side of the EEA/EFTA states are a cause for concern. While backlogs in the transposition of EU legislation into the EEA Agreement have recently been reduced thanks to | 15