Today is considered a historic moment for economic cooperation within CEFTA, as the CEFTA Joint Committee approved 9 innovative agreements designed to transform trade and economic collaboration.
According to a CEFTA statement, these agreements promise real, tangible benefits—simplifying business operations, creating new job opportunities, and strengthening consumer protection.
“Just a few days ahead of the Berlin Process, which celebrates its 10th anniversary, CEFTA is taking a decisive step toward realizing the vision of a Regional Common Market. Anchored in the best EU rules and practices, these agreements will bring CEFTA markets closer to the EU Single Market and unlock the potential of the New Growth Plan of the EU,” the statement reads.
Danijela Gačević, Acting Director of the CEFTA Secretariat, stated that CEFTA plays a vital role in the free movement of goods and services, fostering economic growth and integration.
“With these decisions, we are creating a stronger, more unified economic space where businesses can grow faster and consumers are protected even when shopping beyond their local markets.”
“This is an important moment for CEFTA as we approach full harmonization with the EU market. The benefits will be felt across CEFTA. Small and medium-sized enterprises will be empowered to export and better utilize digital markets, while all of us will benefit from more choices, better prices, higher quality, and stronger consumer protection,” Gačević declared.
Key Points in the 9 Agreements:
Recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programs: Businesses enjoying customs benefits in their local markets will now benefit from these privileges across all 7 CEFTA markets, leading to faster and more efficient customs procedures, resulting in significant time and cost savings.
Facilitation of E-Commerce: A unified framework will allow businesses to sell online seamlessly across CEFTA markets, making it easier for consumers to shop without restrictions. Additionally, it establishes standards for protecting consumers when shopping online.
Package Delivery: New rules simplify the delivery of packages between CEFTA parties, enhancing regulatory control by introducing EU standards for price transparency and service quality.
Prevention of Unjustified Geo-blocking: These rules ensure that online stores cannot block access to websites, products, or services based on a consumer’s location or origin, allowing for unrestricted shopping across CEFTA markets.
Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Harmonized IPR standards will protect both businesses and consumers from counterfeit goods, encouraging innovation and safeguarding the CEFTA market.
Creation of an Electronic Risk Management System: Electronic data exchange will empower customs to more effectively target high-risk shipments, enhancing trade security and expediting the movement of goods.
Facilitation of Trade in Services by Travel Agencies and Tour Operators: Travel agencies and tour operators will have easier access to all CEFTA markets, creating new growth opportunities and attracting more tourists to the region.
Dispute Resolution Mechanism (Supplementary Protocol 7): A new mechanism for resolving trade disputes will ensure fairness and transparency, increasing business confidence in the implementation of CEFTA rules for trade facilitation.
Facilitation of Liability Insurance for Third Parties (Recommendation): Simplified motor insurance processes will allow travelers to move freely across CEFTA without concerns about insurance coverage.
“Additionally, the CEFTA Joint Committee has approved three decisions aimed at reforming internal affairs. These reforms introduce new Procedural Regulations for the Joint Committee, update the Decision governing the operations of the Secretariat, and create new bodies to oversee cooperation in developing areas such as package distribution, intellectual property rights, and professional qualifications,” CEFTA stated in its announcement.
