Free movement of goods, free trade in services, removal of obstacles to trade in goods and services and additional protocol on dispute settlement are among the main priorities of the North Macedonia’s 2021 Chairmanship with the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) that were presented Wednesday by Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi before the Director of CEFTA Secretariat, Emir Djikic and the CEFTA Parties’ Ambassadors to the EU.

“The implementation of the CEFTA agreement and the activities envisaged in Common Regional Market (CRM) 2021-2024 Action Plan, are the priority actions within CEFTA Chairmanship of 2021,” Bekteshi said in Brussels.

Bekteshi underlined that the key pillar under the CEFTA Chair in Office is trade and that the main goal is to facilitate the free movement of goods, services and people between CEFTA countries in order to enable prosperity and well-being for all citizens.

“As one of the priorities under the CEFTA Chairmanship of 2021 are the negotiations and the conclusion of the Additional Protocol 7 on Dispute Settlement, which will create a legal framework for resolving and eliminating barriers to trade between CEFTA members,” Bekteshi noted, adding that in facilitating trade in goods, the focus will be on mutual recognition of trade documents, simplification of procedures and further harmonization with EU regulations and standards.

As part of the activities that will be undertaken during the Chairmanship of North Macedonia will be the continuation of the functioning of green corridors for easier transport of goods through the region, as an extension of these corridors to neighbouring EU countries. The efforts are to be made for monitoring the elimination of non-tariff barriers through transparent and regular reporting of the elimination process in each CEFTA Party, preparation of a single list with all fees and charges for import or export of goods, support the preparation of the action document for the implementation of the quality, implementation of the programmes for mutual recognition of the authorized economic operators.

Director of CEFTA Secretariat, Emir Djikic stressed that CEFTA has an ambitious agenda for this year aimed at facilitating the economic recovery of the CEFTA region.

“The leaders of the region have committed to develop a common regional market. Strong commitments have been made, and those commitments require action. We started the year with an ambitious agenda, developing new mechanisms and launching initiatives to facilitate trade and accelerate the region’s economic recovery. Much work has been done, but additional efforts are needed to deliver on the results promised at the Berlin Summit. It will be a key point not only to assess the strength of regional cooperation, but also to bring tangible results for businesses and our citizens,” Djikic said before CEFTA Parties’ Ambassadors to the EU.