Britain can rejoin EFTA in order to access the EU’s single market - Norway

It has once again be emphasized that if all efforts to keep Brexit Britain in the EU single collapses, the UK could still be allow membership of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as a stop-gap measure.

Three member countries of EFTA: Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland have all indicated their readiness to welcome the UK into their organisation, which enjoys single market access, in the event of divorce proceedings with Brussels breaking down.

Though if such becomes the case, it would only be used as a transitory measure by the British government, due to the fact that EFTA member countries are made to adhere to EU free movement and some EU regulations.

This measure is made to also ensure that Switzerland and the other three members of the club, maintain their close friendship with the UK which is one of their major trading partner.

EFTA member states are permitted by to enter into trade deals with as many countries they want to enter trade deals with, which EU countries are not to do.

Therefore, if that becomes the situation, the British government would be able to have sufficient time to draw out a strategy for its future economic plan, to enter into a new trading talks with EU.

Liechtenstein's foreign minister Aurelia Frick in his address stated that: "Solutions to soften the landing should be available to us. When the EU is negotiating the divorce from the UK, it automatically means a divorce from the EEA-EFTA countries as well.

"We are not ordinary third countries, but the EU's closest partners and friends.”

According to Ms Frick EFTA countries were "not first thing on the EU's mind when dealing with Brexit", but said they were "in the same boat" as the rest of the continent when it comes to what ties Britain decides to retain with the EU.

Also in a tempting message to the UK she said: “As a minister, I try to raise awareness about the EEA and the fact that it's actually functioning very well.

“In a time of populism and globalisation critics, we should be very happy that we have unexciting integration politics.”

Also speaking, Norway’s EU minister Frank Bakke Jensen said he was “open-minded” about the UK returning to a club it actually helped found in the 1960s, and which it belonged to before joining what was then the Common Market.

He said: "The EEA agreement has proven it is viable, useful, possible to adapt to an ever changing landscape and still relevant for us.

"Our relationship with the EU is a dynamic relationship. When EU changes its laws and agreement we do the same. We are working on this every day.

On Britain, he added: “The initiative would have to come from the UK. For the moment, the question is not on the table.”

Norway’s political elite has repeatedly tried to persuade voters to sign up to full EU membership, but they have twice rejected such a move first in the 1970s and then again in 1994.