Press Release: European Commission proposes to renew autonomous trade preferences for the Western Balkans

The European Commission adopted on 22 February 2010 a proposal to prolong the exceptional autonomous trade preferences which the European Union grants to Western Balkan countries until 2015. The aim of this proposal is to ensure that Western Balkan economies continue to benefit from an unlimited duty free access to the EU market for nearly all products originating in these countries and territories. Together with the bilateral agreements in place, these trade preferences support economic integration with the EU and hence foster political stability and economic progress in the entire region.