CEFTA is monitoring the situation and understands the problems of truck drivers

The Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) is closely monitoring the situation, talking to businesses and trying to raise the issue of bottlenecks and border conditions through the various networks in which it participates, said CEFTA Secretariat Director Pranvera Kastrati.

"We are following the situation very closely. Of course, we see the concerns. We also understand why this issue is important for truck drivers, but we are not looking at it only from the perspective of truck drivers. We are also looking at the impact it has on trade and we are aware that this creates certain tensions, problems and obstacles at the borders with the EU," Kastrati told Mediabiro.

According to her, the issue of free movement of people and traffic is not entirely within the jurisdiction of CEFTA, as it is also related to Schengen rules and the jurisdiction of European Union member states.

However, the Secretariat, as she stated, is trying to hear the views of the economy and contribute to raising issues in relevant regional and international networks.

"What we are doing is listening carefully to the business community and hearing how they see this situation, as well as their opinions on what potential solutions could be. We are trying to open this discussion also through the various networks in which CEFTA participates, at least to raise awareness of the importance of addressing this issue," Kastrati pointed out.

Kastrati, who was in Montenegro this week as part of the Conference on Economics, organized by the Chamber of Commerce (PKCG), added that final solutions must be sought through discussions between the authorities.

"At the end of the day, it is a conversation between the ministers responsible for the free movement of people, the ministers of transport, as well as the relevant EU institutions and member states," said Kastrati.

Speaking about Chapter 1 - Free Movement of Goods, Kastrati stated that one of the key goals of CEFTA is to remove potential barriers to trade between members.

"One of the first steps is to harmonize procedures and digitally exchange information. The work is to ensure that data reaches border crossings before trucks, so that customs services can act more efficiently. We are currently ensuring that data reaches border crossings before trucks arrive there. We have digitized this, so that customs services can cooperate as efficiently as possible," Kastrati explained.

CEFTA, she added, is also working on the exchange of documents that accompany goods from one member to another, which makes control easier for inspection services.

"The biggest challenge is not only in the procedures, but in the harmonisation of the requirements that countries apply to products. If the parties were to apply different requirements for products through their legislation, this would, of course, make trade between them more difficult. This is one of the challenges and one of the shortcomings. The level of harmonisation of CEFTA members with the relevant acquis communautaire of the European Union, as well as with European requirements and standards, is one of the key issues for further reducing trade barriers," said Kastrati.

Therefore, as she pointed out, CEFTA strives to identify priority products and supply chains and to align the requirements relating to them with European standards.

"This is a reference point for us, towards which we are trying to help the parties in reducing barriers. Chapter 1, however, is not only about harmonizing regulations. Better coordination of bodies that carry out market surveillance, control product quality and check compliance with standards is also important," said Kastrati.

She also pointed out that the CEFTA Secretariat is closely monitoring the process of harmonization with the EU acquis.

"We are not providing direct assistance to Montenegro in specific harmonisation with the EU acquis, as this is a task that the state carries out through its institutions. Regional cooperation, however, can help Montenegro to simultaneously progress in regional market integration and European integration. By connecting all parties and ensuring harmonisation at the CEFTA level, we are also helping Montenegro to benefit from regional cooperation, but also from the European integration process," said Kastrati.

She also addressed the issue of Montenegro's dependence on imports, assessing that this is not a problem characteristic only of our country, but also of other members of the agreement.

"One way to reduce dependence on imports is to increase the productivity of domestic production. The moment domestic producers are able to improve their productivity, it means that they will be able to be self-sufficient in covering the needs and demand on the market, but at the same time export. This requires innovation, new technologies and a qualified workforce. Production should gradually shift from labor-intensive to capital- and technology-intensive production," concluded Kastrati.