Regulation (EU) 2020/2172

What it is

to extend the application of Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories linked to the European Union's Stabilisation and Association process for the Western Balkans. PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: at its meeting in Lisbon on 23 and 24 March 2000, the European Council stated that Stabilisation and Association Agreements with the Western Balkan entities should be preceded by asymmetrical trade liberalisation. The Committee on International Trade adopted the report by Emmanuel MAUREL (GUE/NGL, FR) 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. As a reminder, the proposal aims at extending until 31 December 2025 the period of application of Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories linked to the Stabilisation and Association process implemented by the European Union in respect of the Western Balkans. The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows. Members considered that the EU shall continue to promote access to the EU market for the countries concerned. They considered that extending the period of application of Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 is a suitable guarantee to ensure the Union's enhanced and proactive commitment to the trade integration of the Western Balkans. They stressed that the current system of autonomous trade measures remains a valuable support for the economies of the Balkan partners. Entitlement to benefit from the preferential arrangements introduced by the Regulation shall be conditional on the willingness of the beneficiary entities in the Western Balkans to engage in effective economic reforms and regional cooperation with other countries concerned by the EU Stabilisation and Association Process, in particular through the establishment of free trade areas in accordance with Article XXIV of the GATT 1994 and other relevant WTO provisions. The European Parliament adopted by 604 votes to 43, with 49 abstentions, a legislative resolution 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. Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure, amending the Commission proposal as follows. Members considered that extending the period of application of Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 is a suitable guarantee to ensure the Union's enhanced and proactive commitment to the trade…

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