On Thursday 13 November, MEPs approved by a large majority the extension of autonomous trade measures for the countries of the Western Balkans until 2030 (543 votes in favour, 72 against and 22 abstentions). These have been in force since 2000 and allow countries in the region to export several categories of agricultural products to the European Union duty-free.
The rapporteur, Kris Van Dijck (ECR, Belgian), proposed adopting the Commission’s proposal as it stood, without amendment.
The text is “measured and proportionate”, he said. He added that the regulation “offers the Western Balkans and economic operators limited but essential market access, while maintaining appropriate conditionality mechanisms”.
As well as extending trade liberalisation, the Commission only proposed to clarify the conditions for suspending the regulation, by removing what it considered to be a duplication in the current regulation.
For its part, the Council of the EU also approved the extension for a further five years.
To see the report adopted: https://aeur.eu/f/jez (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)