Press Release: Western Balkans: Commission proposes renewal of the current trade preferences until 2010 to foster economic development, prosperity and political stability in the region

The European Commission on 12 September 2005 adopted a proposal for a Council Regulation extending until 2010 the autonomous trade preferences which the EU grants to the Western Balkans. For the previous five years, these trade preferences had been a key instrument in the revitalisation of the Western Balkan economies by providing privileged access to the EU market. It was assumed that more stable economic development in turn would foster political stability in the entire region.

European Commission: DG Enlargement: Candidate countries: Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/enlargement_process/accession_process/how_does_a_country_join_the_eu/sap/index_en.htm

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