Press Release: Draft agreement for full liberalisation of trade in agricultural & fisheries products originating in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

The European Commission and the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and Gaza Strip have agreed the text of a draft accord on further liberalisation of EU imports of agricultural products, processed agricultural and fish and fishery products. This draft has now been initialled, and both sides will now complete their internal approval procedures. The text foresees giving all agricultural products, processed agricultural products and fish and fish and fishery products originating in the West Bank and Gaza Strip immediate duty free access to the EU market. This liberalisation will be temporary for 10 years – with a review after 5 years – and, before the end of this period, both sides will discuss the possibility of extending the arrangements. The only exception from full liberalisation is the specific duty for imports of fruit and vegetables under the entry price system that will remain applicable if these entry prices are not respected.