Delaying CEFTA ratification detrimental

Delaying CEFTA ratification detrimental

According to Prokopijević, one of the reasons for the delay is the multiple interest of monopolies in Serbia, which would be more exposed to foreign competition with the application of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).

Whether the delay in ratifying CEFTA is "an omission or a deliberate blockade" is uncertain, said economist Boško Mijatović, adding that this is "a sensitive topic" that has already been the subject of discussions, especially in the tobacco industry.

Economist Milan Kovačević told Beta that "it would have been better" if the agreement had been ratified earlier, as running behind schedule "leaves a bad impression on other countries."

"We were the first to insist on CEFTA's adoption, and now we are practically the last ones to ratify it. That way we lose politically, because we send a negative signal that we are the last ones to adopt even the things that are beneficial to us," he pointed out.

Kovačević went on to say that "any tardiness in the implementation of CEFTA means a loss of benefits," most of which would be experienced by exporters, "because they would be able to freely export to other CEFTA signers and the agreement would bring them more advantages than disadvantages."

The Parliament will not meet until August 20, hence CEFTA can only be ratified in late August at the earliest.

However, CEFTA's rules say the agreement must be ratified at least a month before the Joint Committee's meeting scheduled for September 15, which means Serbia, instead of appearing as a full member, will have observer status at the meeting.