The European Union has re-established the exceptional autonomous trade preferences, which it grants to all Western Balkan countries including Kosovo1, until the end of 2015. Western Balkan economies will therefore continue to benefit from an unlimited duty-free access to the EU market for nearly all products originating in these countries and territories.

Together with the bilateral Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAAs) in place with all Western Balkan countries except Kosovo, these trade preferences support economic integration with the EU and hence foster political stability and economic progress in the entire region.

The autonomous trade preferences should allow all Western Balkan countries to further benefit from the preferential trade regime, where this is more beneficial than the treatment foreseen in the SAAs.