Summary
The proposal extends trade preferences for Western Balkan countries until 2020 and introduces a mechanism to suspend these benefits if human rights or democracy are violated. It also addresses the potential suspension of trade measures for Bosnia and Herzegovina due to unresolved trade agreement adaptations. 10 24.12.2015
Other
trade
economy
human rights
european union
international relations
Key points
- The proposal extends unilateral trade preferences for Western Balkan countries until the end of 2020 to allow more time for alignment with official agreements.
- A new 'human rights clause' is introduced, which allows for the suspension of trade benefits if there are serious violations of democracy, human rights, or the rule of law.
- Trade preferences for Bosnia and Herzegovina may be suspended starting January 1, 2016, if they do not reach an agreement to adapt their trade concessions following Croatia's EU accession.
- The European Parliament seeks to use delegated acts instead of implementing acts for certain suspensions to ensure better democratic oversight.
Documents (PDFs)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union's Stabilisation and Association process and suspending its application with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Suspension of exceptional trade measures with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina ***I
Suspension of exceptional trade measures with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina ***I
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