New quotas for export and import – Implementation of Protocol on adaptation to the Joining and Stabilization agreement started

The implementation of the Protocol on adaptation to the Joining and Stabilization Agreement on started August 1. The Protocol which Serbia signed with EU was adopted in order to preserve traditional flows of trade after Croatia joined EU and contains certain number of concessions from the CEFTA free trade agreement which stopped being valid for Croatia after obtaining full membership in EU, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce announced at its site.

With the protocol, Serbia got new, higher quotes for export of carp, fish products, wine and sugar. On the other hand, EU got quotes for import of Serbia for: pigs, milk products, corns, oil, sugar, juice, alcohol, vegetable, carp, tobacco and cigarettes. Quotes which Serbia got are only 2,4% of import from Croatia.

As of July 1, 2013, when Croatia became a full member of EU, the trade between the Republic of Serbia and Croatia, which was governed by CEFTA until then, started going on in line with the provisions of the Joining and Stabilization agreement, signed between Serbia and EU. The article 39 of the Agreement implies the option of adapting provisions related to trade between these two countries, in this case Croatia and the state which has the agreement signed with EU, which is in this case Serbia.

The conditions that in new circumstances keep benefits from the previous agreement, were that these two countries really use these benefits as well as that the benefits are higher than the ones provided by the Agreement, Serbian Chamber of Commerce states.

All concessions from the Protocol which has become effective today, have been approved based on the realized mutual trade between Serbia and Croatia and will be available for all EU members, not only to Croatia.

Details on the effects of the Protocol on adaptation to the Joining and Stabilization Agreement can be seen HERE.