EU Extends Duty-free Import Regime with Western Balkans

The European Commission told BETA on Oct. 17, 2011 that this relates to almost all products from the countries of the Western Balkans, which have been enjoying the benefit of duty-free trade since September 2000. The total exports of the Western Balkans to the EU represent less than one percent of the total imports from EU member states.

The European Union has decided to extend duty-free goods imports from Western Balkan countries to the EU until 2015 and the European Parliament approved the decision, which will be retroactively applied from Jan. 1 this year, by passing a regulation.

The European Commission told BETA on Oct. 17 that this relates to almost all products from the countries of the Western Balkans, which have been enjoying the benefit of duty-free trade since September 2000. The total exports of the Western Balkans to the EU represent less than one percent of the total imports from EU member states.

For Serbia, like other countries in the region which already apply interim trade measures for the gradual abolition of customs and quotas with the EU as part of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, that interim trade agreement and the regime of practically free imports to the EU will be adjusted.

The European Parliament passed with 605 votes in favor and 20 against a resolution which confirmed the European Commission proposal to extend the import regime for over 90 percent of products from the countries of the Western Balkans to the EU.