Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani and British Ambassador Rachel Galloway signed a Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement on Thursday in Skopje, paving the way to unimpeded trade relations between North Macedonia and the UK post-Brexit.
According to FM Osmani, signing the Agreement will allow continuity of trade relations between the two countries after the formal departure of the UK from the European Union.
The United Kingdom, he added, is extremely important for our economy given that in the past 10 years it has grown into one of the most important trade partners of North Macedonia, and is included among the top ten export and import destinations.
“In this period, when our ambitions for membership in the European Union are faced with serious challenges, none of us is happy that the United Kingdom is leaving the Union, but I think that it is a true diplomatic victory that today we are signing an Agreement that will strengthen our relations and we are setting the foundation for an even deeper and broader economic and political cooperation,” Osmani said, voicing hope that London and Brussels will reach a deal soon.
Martin Vickers, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Trade Envoy to the Western Balkans, spoke at Thursday’s signing event via a teleconference link, pointing out that the UK is particularly pleased to sign the Agreement to grow trade and wider bilateral relationship.
“Now that the UK is leaving the EU it’s time to strengthen trade relations with our allies,” Vickers said.
According to Ambassador Galloway, signing of the deal marks the beginning of a new era in the relations between the UK and North Macedonia which, she noted, is our greatest trade partner in the Western Balkans, with a trade volume of GBP 1.8 billion in 2019. The two countries will be able to continue trade, while also protecting North Macedonia’s economic stability and prosperity, which is especially important in the process of economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
“The Agreement also provides a platform for further engagement, political dialogue and increased cooperation on key issues including environment, education and human rights,” Galloway said.
“By signing the Agreement, we have reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to a close relationship with North Macedonia and to playing a continued positive role in the region. The UK remains committed to North Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic path and we will continue to stand together as NATO Allies,” the British Ambassador underlined.
The Trade Continuity Agreement sets a legal basis for future trade relations between the two countries, which are currently regulated in accordance with the Stabilization and Association Agreement between North Macedonia and the European Union. Current trade conditions remain unchanged under the Agreement which is to enter into force after the Brexit transition period.
