Belgrade, 9 October 2024 – Today marks a milestone for economic cooperation within CEFTA, as the CEFTA Joint Committee adopts 9 groundbreaking agreements designed to transform trade and economic collaboration. These agreements promise real, tangible benefits—simplifying business operations, creating new job opportunities, and strengthening consumer protections.

Just days ahead of the Berlin Process celebrating its 10th anniversary, CEFTA is taking a decisive step toward realizing the vision of a Common Regional Market. Anchored in EU rules and best practices, these agreements will bring the CEFTA markets closer to the EU Single Market and unlock the potential of the EU’s New Growth Plan.

“CEFTA is of fundamental importance for the free movement of goods and services, driving 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 a significant moment for CEFTA as we are moving closer to full alignment with the EU market. The benefits will be felt across the entire CEFTA. Small and medium companies will be empowered to export and make the best use of digital markets, while all of us will benefit from more choice, better price and quality and more robust consumer protection.” stated Danijela Gačević, Acting Director at CEFTA Secretariat.

Key Highlights on 9 Agreements:

1. Recognition of AEO Programs: Businesses with customs benefits in their home markets will now enjoy these privileges across all 7 CEFTA markets. This means faster, more efficient customs procedures, leading to substantial time and cost savings.
2. Facilitation of E-Commerce: A unified framework will enable businesses to sell online seamlessly across CEFTA markets, making it easier for consumers to shop without restrictions. Additionally, it sets standards to protect consumers when shopping online.
3. Parcel Delivery: New rules simplify parcel delivery between CEFTA parties, enhancing regulatory control while introducing EU standards for price transparency and service quality.
4. Prevention of Unjustified Geo-Blocking: These rules ensure that online shops cannot block access to websites, products, or services based on a consumer’s location and origin, allowing for unrestricted shopping across CEFTA markets.
5. Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Harmonized IPR standards will protect both businesses and consumers from counterfeit goods, fostering innovation and safeguarding the CEFTA market.
6. Establishment of an Electronic System for Risk Management: Electronic data exchange will empower customs to target high-risk shipments more effectively, improving trade security and speeding up the movement of goods.
7. Facilitation of Trade in Services by Travel Agencies and Tour Operators: Travel agencies and tour operators will gain easier access to all CEFTA markets, creating new opportunities for growth and attracting more tourists to the region.
8. Dispute Settlement Mechanism (Additional Protocol 7): A new mechanism for resolving trade disputes will guarantee fairness and transparency, boosting business confidence in the implementation of CEFTA’s trade facilitation rules.
9. Facilitation of Motor Third-Party Liability Insurance (Recommendation): Simplified motor insurance processes will allow travelers to drive across CEFTA worry-free, without concerns about insurance coverage.

In addition, the CEFTA Joint Committee has adopted three agreements aimed at reforming its internal affairs. These reforms introduce new Rules of Procedure for the Joint Committee, update the Decision governing the Secretariat’s operations, and establish new bodies to oversee cooperation in emerging areas such as parcel delivery, intellectual property rights, and professional qualifications.

All CEFTA Joint Committee Decisions and Recommendations, including above mentioned are available at https://cefta.int/about/documents/legal-documents/