Kosovo and the European Commission discuss progress in the area of Trade, Industry, Customs and Taxation

The meeting took place during a period when the SAA negotiations are moving swiftly ahead. Among the issues raised during the meeting, the Kosovo-EU trade balance and the exchange of statistical trade data, both crucial inputs in the SAA negotiations, were discussed. In addition, Kosovo presented the substance and impact of the Free Trade Agreement with Turkey, concluded last year.

In the area of Customs and Taxation, the administrative capacities and performance of both authorities were discussed. Important progress in solving the backlog of cases within the Independent Review Board was noted.

As regards the Industry sector and small and medium enterprises (SME) development, Kosovo presented in particular the activities undertaken in the area of access to finance and the removal of administrative barriers to business. In addition, the findings of the 2013 SME Policy Index: Western Balkans and Turkey, with particular attention on the progress in the implementation of the Small Business Act for Europe, were presented and discussed.

The implementation of the conclusions and follow-up actions from the meeting will be of key importance in assessing Kosovo’s progress within the EU Stabilisation and Association Process, where the EU-Kosovo trade relations are one of the key priorities.

The SAP Dialogue meetings, the conclusions of which feed into the next Progress Report, are organised together with the Ministry for European Integration.

Background information

The SAP Dialogue is a framework under which the European Commission and the Kosovo administration regularly discuss technical and policy issues in relation to the European agenda.  The SAP Dialogue monitors and accompanies Kosovo’s delivery on reforms, and identifies how the EU can assist in this process. Sectoral and plenary SAP Dialogue meetings are co-chaired by the European Commission and the government. Each meeting results in jointly agreed follow-up actions to be taken by the Kosovo authorities. 

There are seven areas covered in sectoral meetings and they follow closely the format of the dialogue that the EU has with other candidates and potential candidates. These seven sectors are: 

– Justice, Freedom and Security
– Innovation, Information Society, Social Policy, Education and Culture
– Trade, Industry, Customs and Taxation
– Internal Market, Competition, Consumer and Health Protection
– Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Food Safety
– Transport, Environment, Energy, Regional Development
– Economic and Financial Issues, Statistics