Exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the Stabilisation and Association Process

The European Parliament adopted by 543 votes to 72, with 22 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2024/823 of 28 February 2024 on exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the Stabilisation and Association Process.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading, taking over the Commission's proposal.

Regulation (EU) 2024/823 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which applies until 31 December 2025, establishes a system of autonomous trade measures between the Union and the Western Balkan countries and territories by exempting from customs duties and charges having equivalent effect certain agricultural products originating in the Western Balkans and providing certain wine products originating in the Western Balkans with access to a global tariff quota.

The Commission proposes to continue supporting the vulnerable economies of the Western Balkans region by extending the period of application of Regulation (EU) 2024/823 for an additional five years, until 31 December 2030.

Entitlement to benefit from the preferential arrangements is subject to the involvement of beneficiary parties in effective administrative cooperation with the Union, including as required for the verification of evidence of origin, in order to prevent any risk of fraud.

In the event of non-compliance, the Commission may suspend, in whole or in part, the entitlement of a beneficiary party concerned to benefits under this Regulation.

Given the particular sensitivity of the agricultural markets, where imports of agricultural products cause serious disturbance to Union markets and their regulatory mechanisms, the Commission may adopt appropriate measures by means of implementing acts.