ROME, Nov 13 (Hina) - Ministers from Stability Pact member states, who met in Rome on Thursday under the auspices of Italy as the current EU chair, signed a declaration on the liberalisation of trade in Southeast Europe.
ROME, Nov 13 (Hina) - Ministers from Stability Pact member states,
who met in Rome on Thursday under the auspices of Italy as the
current EU chair, signed a declaration on the liberalisation of
trade in Southeast Europe. #L#
The declaration was signed after the failure of efforts to sign a
declaration on establishing a Balkan duty-free zone, which was
backed by Italy.
The document defines steps to be taken to harmonise and finalise the
existing set of bilateral agreements on free trade in the region,
and recommends that modalities of establishing a free trade zone in
Southeast Europe on the basis of the existing bilateral agreements
be discussed at the next ministerial meeting in 2004.
Addressing the meeting, the Croatian Minister of European
Integration, Neven Mimica, said that Croatia supported further
liberalisation of trade in the region because it would help boost
trade and direct foreign investment.
Mimica, however, expressed opposition to any attempts at creating a
Balkans customs union through the liberalisation of trade.
Croatia's position is that the further liberalisation should be
achieved by means of the existing mechanisms, such as the Central
European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).
Mimica said that the CEFTA was a functioning mechanism that proved
very successful in preparing CEFTA members for entering the common
EU market, and that it should also be used as a foundation for the
further liberalisation of trade in Southeast Europe.
(hina) vm sb