ISDS Case Map
Serbia
"Any Free Trade Agreement can only contribute to strengthening regional co-operation, and we only expect positive results from that," said Macedonian Economy Minister Fatmir Besimi. [Macedonia Government]
Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia-Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia and Moldavia are expected to become a unique free trade zone by the end of 2007.
The European Union will give strong support to efforts by the continent's southeastern countries, most of them in the Balkans, to sign a regional free trade deal this year, EU officials said on Monday.
The European Commission has proposed replacing the existing web of bilateral trade agreements in the Balkans with a regional free trade agreement -- a move it says would boost economic prospects. However, the idea has met with opposition in Croatia.
India and Serbia & Montenegro today signed a 'Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement', which includes grant of 'Most Favoured Nation' treatment in trade of goods and services and setting up of a Joint Economic Committee to explore new areas for bilateral trade.
All Balkans countries are headed for European Union membership, but they are taking different roads, and at differing pace.
THE idea of a Balkan General Free Trade Agreement, to replace existing bilateral free trade agreements, received support at an Athens meeting of the Association of Balkan Chambers, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) said on December 12.
Recent moves have raised hopes that the Balkan region may one day join the European Union. Accession negotiations have been launched with Croatia, Serbia-Montenegro is in talks on a "stabilisation and association agreement" and Brussels decided this month to start talks with Bosnia.
Macedonian Minister of Economy Fatmir Besimi and Serbia/Montenegro Minister on International Economic Relations Predrag Ivanovic signed Friday a Free Trade Agreement, which envisages full liberalization of trade between Macedonia and Serbia/Montenegro.
Overview of Bilateral Negotiations 2004 involving Trade Agreements: State of Play 27 July
