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Kosova

Kosovo is represented for the first time as an equal party in CEFTA

Politiko 2025-03-07 15:27:56

Kosovo hosted the CEFTA Joint Committee meeting, as the chair of this regional mechanism for 2025. This time, after the Berlin Summit, Kosovo was represented in CEFTA as an equal party, without the presence of UNMIK. Kosovo hosted the CEFTA Joint Committee meeting, as the chair of this regional mechanism in 2025.

The acting Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, has said that for the first time, Kosovo is represented in CEFTA as an equal party, without the presence of UNMIK, marking an important step towards consolidating its international subjectivity and strengthening its role in regional economic processes.

"We are inviting you to the special meeting that this year is chaired by Kosovo, for the first time by its institutions and voice and without the representation of UNMIK. UNMIK's participation was finally removed in October last year, this comes as a result of Kosovo's numerous efforts and commitment to regularizing the status, since then in the meetings of the communities Kosovo is represented by its institutions."

She further added that this is also a special year, as Kosovo holds the presidency of CEFTA, leading the regional agenda for trade facilitation and economic integration.

"This year is special because we chair the CEFTA process from Kosovo but also because we are starting a new phase towards a regional common market. Kosovo hosted this special meeting of the CEFTA Communities, which marks the official start of our chairmanship. Kosovo will have an active chairmanship with the aim of achieving the successful implementation of the CEFTA decision adopted last year and further developing and ensuring the implementation of CEFTA measures within the framework of the regional market action plan. Kosovo has taken four decisions that we took at this special meeting."

Meanwhile, David Hudson from the European Commission, who was part of the CEFTA meeting, said that this mechanism aims to bring benefits to local businesses and consumers. He also welcomed the agreement of the Western Balkan countries to move forward towards a regional common market.

"We have achieved some progress this year. This is important because CEFTA is not a bureaucratic agreement but an agreement that brings benefits to our businesses and consumers. The way of cooperation within CEFTA is oriented towards the way of cooperation of the EU, where the same should be constructive. We hope that by integrating the regional economy and then into that of the EU, the per capita income of the member states will double. Today was the first step towards achieving this and we hope that others will be achieved as well."

During this event, four important decisions were adopted, which will facilitate trade and contribute to strengthening economic cooperation between the countries of the region. In addition, the priorities of Kosovo's chairmanship were presented, which include key initiatives to improve the business environment and facilitate economic development.

Kosovo had been represented in CEFTA – the agreement that aims to increase trade in goods and services, eliminate trade barriers between the parties, and attract investment – through the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) since 2007, when it joined it.

However, Kosovo has been represented by its own institutions since October 2024, without the presence of UNMIK. CEFTA member states are Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Moldova. Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia withdrew from CEFTA after their accession to the EU./ Monitor