European Commission proposes to renew autonomous trade preferences for the Western Balkans

The European Commission (EC) today (February 22, 2010) adopted a proposal to prolong the exceptional autonomous trade preferences which the European Union grants to Western Balkan countries until 2015.

The beneficiaries are participants of the EU Stabilisation and Association process, namely Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and the customs territory of Kosovo in accordance with UN Resolution 1244/99.

The aim of this proposal is to ensure that Western Balkan economies continue to benefit from an unlimited duty free access to the EU market for nearly all products originating in these countries and territories.

Together with the bilateral agreements in place, these trade preferences support economic integration with the EU and hence foster political stability and economic progress in the entire region.

In 2000 the European Union established for the first time exceptional unlimited duty-free access to the EU market for nearly all products originating in the Stabilisation and Association region. The regime was then renewed in 2005 and is due to expire on 31 December 2010.

A stop of the trade preferences risks having negative consequences on the overall economic performances of Western Balkans, with repercussions on their domestic reform processes.

Therefore, the European Commission proposes to renew the preferential regime until 31 December 2015. The Regulation will be discussed by the Council and European Parliament and it is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2011.

European Union

European Commission

European Parliament

Council of Europe

UN Resolution 1244 99