Kosovo signs FTA with European Free Trade Association

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) – Kosovo signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on Wednesday in Davos, Switzerland, where the World Economic Forum is taking place.

Kosovo's Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade,, Rozeta Hajdari, represented the country at the signing ceremony, which was also witnessed by Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

Kurti said the free trade agreement with the EFTA, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, marks the beginning of a new era to strengthen Kosovo's bilateral ties and deepen trade relations.

Negotiations for the agreement began in 2022 and concluded after four rounds of talks.

The FTA aims to improve trade by reducing or eliminating tariffs on various goods and services, giving Kosovo greater access to EFTA markets.

The agreement encompasses a wide range of sectors, including provisions pertaining to trade in goods, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, trade facilitation, trade in services, protection of intellectual property, competition, and trade and sustainable development, the Swiss Federal Council said.

The agreement now requires approval from the legislative bodies of all involved countries before its full implementation.