American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo supports the principles of free trade of goods and the free movement of people between the countries of Eastern Europe, these principles are embedded in the Free Trade Agreement of Europe (CEFTA).
Through the opening and integration of markets of CEFTA member countries, the economies of each country will be able to mark a major development, and the whole region will be more attractive to foreign investors.
In this regard, the American Chamber considers that unilateral actions or any restrictions on free trade must be in accordance with the provisions of CEFTA, within each reservation made by a signatory of the CEFTA agreement.ž
[widgets_on_pages id=”Baner”]
“Therefore, we call on all member states of CEFTA to refrain from taking actions that are inconsistent with the provisions of the free trade agreement. At the same time, the American Chamber wishes to stress that any protest or reaction from other Member States affected by restrictive decisions of states that have taken those restrictions must be in full compliance with the CEFTA provisions governing matters consultation and arbitration “, reads the press release.
Any reaction or political action to restrict the actions of free trade, such as the imposition of entry, or even possible visa regime for citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, arbitrarily taken by the member states of CEFTA, which violate the provisions of CEFTA issues consultation or arbitration may cause irreparable damage to trade relations between the two countries, in this case, Kosovo and Macedonia.
“Such political actions do not allow member states to resolve their disputes through legal means provided within the CEFTA agreement. Therefore, the American Chamber called on the authorities of the Republic of Macedonia and international institutions to exercise their authority, that entry fees for citizens of Kosovo from Macedonia set to leave immediately, such as a decision not to do anything with trade issues between Kosovo and Macedonia. Cancellation of such a decision would create space for both sides to sit down and negotiate to resolve differences and overcome the current situation “, said the press release.
Considering the negative impact that the current situation in the economies of both countries, but also the consequences that this situation may have on long-term relations between the two countries, which are contrary to the values of good neighborhood in which to build the Union European American Chamber called on the authorities in Kosovo and in Macedonia using the prescribed legal framework within CEFTA agreement, to resolve as quickly as possible all trade disputes
