Seventh Meeting of CEFTA 2006 Joint Committee

 

SARAJEVO, 20 November 2013 – Seventh Meeting of CEFTA 2006 Joint Committee Meeting was held in Sarajevo, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Meeting was attended by the Ministers or their representatives from all CEFTA Parties and they adopted decisions and Ministerial Conclusions confirming ongoing success in the implementation process of the Agreement, as well as activities to be conducted by all CEFTA Parties

The SEE 2020 Strategy was supported at the meeting – its part pertaining to the Integrated Growth Pillar with dimensions related to trade. With this meeting, Bosnia and Herzegovina is bringing its chairmanship of the CEFTA Agreement to an end and we can proudly say that we have fulfilled all of our commitments and priorities set in the Program of Chairmanship, such as the issues of transparency, establishing a database on SPS issues, commencing negotiations on liberalisation of trade in services, facilitating trade through simplification of customs procedure and reporting on state aid schemes.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed an additional Protocol 3 to the CEFTA 2006 Agreement with Albania, achieving full liberalisation of BiH trade in all products within the CEFTA Parties. Businessmen from both countries will benefit the most from the signing of this Protocol, because it will increase the competitiveness of their products in the markets of both countries.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the Chair-in-Office of the CEFTA Agreement submitted its work report for the period of its chairmanship and it is expected that Macedonia as the next Chair –in-Office will further improve the CEFTA Agreement. Successful completion of the CEFTA Week will end with the adoption of the SEE 2020 Strategy in its entirety on 21 November 2013, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).