CEFTA is instrumental in building the Common Regional Market and its integration into the EU Single Market.

05/11/2020: The Minister of Economy Mr. Kreshnik Bekteshi and the Bulgarian deputy minister of Economy Mr. Stamen Yanev, today co-chaired the Meeting of Ministers of Economy under the 2020 Joint Chairmanship of the Berlin Process held by North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

The meeting was a great opportunity for an open discussion with the Western Balkan, as well as the Berlin Process partners, the Commission, the Regional Cooperation Council, CEFTA, the International and Regional organizations on important topics such as Green Agenda, broadening of Green Corridors/Lanes and establishment of Common Regional Market.
“CEFTA is instrumental in building the Common Regional Market and its integration into the EU Single Market. It will bring faster harmonization with EU regulative and accelerate EU integration process for CEFTA Parties.” – said Mr. Emir Djikic, Director of CEFTA Secretariat. “We will focus on four key priorities – extension of the green corridors/green lanes to the neighboring EU Member States, further harmonization of procedures within CEFTA trough the Mutual Recognition agreements (MRA), building the regional e-commerce market and set up the dispute settlement mechanism” pointed out Mr. Emir Djikic. “These actions will cut the costs of trade and time spent at the crossing points, ensure that the products and services faster reach the CEFTA market and eliminate non-tariff barriers between the Parties.”

“Within the regional trade agenda, CEFTA activities are aimed at facilitating trade in goods and services and establishing a regional e-commerce market. The CEFTA e-commerce market today is estimated at around 1 billion euros, with strong growth. Our job is to provide access to this market for young and creative people who can create jobs for more young people. We need to export goods and services via the Internet, CEFTA approved a roadmap to lead our way to removing the biggest barriers to digital trade” – said Minister Bekteshi.
Within Green Agenda Session, participants discussed the Green Lanes results and welcome the initiative to extend it to neighboring EU Member States.
“CEFTA SEED system will support implementation of the Green Lane Agenda, ensuring faster transit of goods and services among CEFTA parties, and towards EU”– stated Mr. Emir Djikic, Director of CEFTA Secretariat.