TIRANA, April 8 /ATA/ The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development approved the draft law “On the Ratification of Additional Protocol 7 on Dispute Settlement” within the framework of CEFTA.
During the committee review, Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation, Enkelejd Musabelliu, emphasized that the draft law aims to strengthen mechanisms for resolving trade disputes among member states by establishing a more independent, impartial, and binding system based on WTO and EU models.
According to him, the new Protocol (7) establishes clearer and more efficient procedures, including consultations, mediation, review by specialized panels, and the option of final arbitration.
“The main innovation of this protocol lies in the establishment of a rules-based mechanism that does not require political intervention in the decision-making process, while ensuring compliance with agreements and the enforceability of CEFTA decisions,” Musabelliu explained.
He emphasized that the draft law aligns with Albania’s commitments to the regional common market and aims to eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade among CEFTA member states, thereby enhancing predictability and legal certainty for economic operators.
According to him, the new mechanism is expected to have a positive impact on trade flows and the business climate in the region, as well as to strengthen economic cooperation among CEFTA member states.
The protocol was adopted by the parties in Belgrade in October 2024.
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