Central European Free Trade Agreement

Official account of CEFTA - Central European Free Trade Agreement 📈 Framework for stimulating economic development and the EU accession agenda in the region

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

📣 CEFTA Research Award 2026: Deadline Extended!

Good news for 🎓 young researchers: the deadline for submitting concept notes has been extended to 15 July 2026, 17:00 CET.

Master’s thesis candidates and PhD students from CEFTA Parties now have additional time to prepare proposals under one of the three research themes:

📦 Trade in agri-food products
🏭 Trade in industrial products
🤝 Trade in services

Awards worth EUR 15,000 remain available:
🥇 3 winners – EUR 4,000 each
🥈 3 runners-up – EUR 1,000 each

All other conditions of the Call remain unchanged.

🚀 Bring fresh ideas to the policy conversation and make your research count.

🔗 Apply now: https://t.co/RDWg0lZiUT

#CEFTA #CEFTAAcademicNetwork #CEFTAResearchAward #ResearchAward2026 #TradePolicy #EUIntegration #CommonRegionalMarket #GrowthPlan

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

#CEFTA Secretariat Director Pranvera Kastrati met with Xiaoqing Yu, @WorldBankGroup Division Director for the Western Balkans, in Vienna to discuss shared priorities for strengthening regional economic integration.
The exchange focused on Green Lanes, trade and transport facilitation, investment facilitation, tourism, digitalisation and trust services, as well as cooperation in the context of the #BerlinProcess.
Both sides reaffirmed their strong partnership and commitment to advancing practical, impactful solutions for the benefit of the region.

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

📍 Vienna: WB6 Prime Ministers’ representatives (PM Sherpas) met with partners, including RCC, CEFTA Secretariat, the European Commission and the PM Sherpa at the German Chancellor Cabinet, to take stock ahead of the next stages of the #BerlinProcess.

PM Sherpas reviewed progress on pending deliverables and underlined the need to move from commitments to implementation, with realistic timelines and visible results for citizens, businesses and the European path of the Western Balkans. 🚀

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

A final look back at the Third High-Level Conference of Customs Directors General in Athens.

The conference brought together customs leaders, EU institutions, regional partners, and businesses to reflect on how stronger cooperation, Green Lanes, digitalisation, and trusted trader partnerships can support gradual integration into the EU Single Market.

Organised by the CEFTA Secretariat through the SEED+ Action, together with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue of the Hellenic Republic and the @EUWB6_TCT , it confirmed that regional cooperation continues to deliver practical results, with SEED+ remaining at the heart of that progress.

Watch the highlights from Athens.

#SEEDPlus #CEFTA #TradeFacilitation #Customs #EUIntegration #GreenLanes #Athens2026

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

Customs administrations are playing an increasingly strategic role in the region’s path towards the EU Single Market.
During the second panel, customs leaders and EU representatives discussed how stronger cooperation between the EU and CEFTA Parties can support gradual integration through interoperable systems, coordinated risk management, trusted trader partnerships, and alignment with the evolving EU customs framework.
The discussion highlighted the progress achieved through initiatives such as #GreenLanes, #AEO programmes, electronic data exchange, and enhanced customs cooperation, while also identifying key priorities for the future: greater interoperability, stronger risk-based controls, and closer alignment with the ongoing reform of the Union Customs Code.
Participants agreed that modern, connected, and data-driven customs administrations are essential for creating secure, predictable, and efficient trade flows, strengthening market confidence, and supporting the broader EU enlargement agenda.
Customs cooperation is no longer only about facilitating trade—it is a strategic lever for economic integration and the region’s European future.
#SEEDPlus #Customs #AEO #RiskManagement #EUIntegration #TradeFacilitation #CEFTA #SingleMarket

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

For businesses, integration is measured in time saved, costs reduced, and predictability gained.
Tanja Bošković, Head, EU4Trade project and Genc Çeli, President of Western Balkans AEO Association highlighted the value of the solutions supported through SEED+, including #GreenLanes and enhanced customs cooperation maintaining close dialogue between customs administrations and businesses to ensure that regional reforms translate into tangible benefits for companies operating across the region.
#SEEDPlus #BusinessCommunity #TradeFacilitation #RegionalIntegration #CEFTA

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

From crisis response to a strategic integration instrument.
The first panel explored how Green Lanes, developed and supported through the SEED+ framework, have evolved into one of the most tangible examples of regional cooperation delivering measurable results for trade and transport.
Participants discussed how Green Lanes can further develop into a broader EU–CEFTA priority corridor framework, strengthening predictability, trust, and interoperability between customs administrations.
The discussion confirmed that continued investment in digitalisation, data exchange, and coordinated procedures remains essential for bringing the region closer to the EU Single Market.
#SEEDPlus #GreenLanes #CEFTA #RegionalCooperation #TradeFacilitation #EUIntegration

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

The Third High-Level Conference of Customs Directors General of the Western Balkans and EU Member States opened today in Athens, bringing together customs leaders, EU institutions, regional partners, and the business community to discuss the future of regional economic integration.
Organised by the CEFTA Secretariat through the SEED+ Action, together with the @AADE_IAPR Independent Authority for Public Revenue of the Hellenic Republic and the @EUWB6_TCT Transport Community Secretariat, the conference serves as a platform for advancing practical solutions that facilitate trade, strengthen connectivity, and support the gradual integration of CEFTA Parties into the EU Single Market.
The opening session highlighted the importance of continued cooperation, digital transformation, and joint efforts to build a more connected and resilient regional market.
#GeorgePitsilis
#ApostolosTzitzikostas
#ChristopheGaland
#GerassimosThomas
#PranveraKastrati
#MatejZakonjsek
#SEEDPlus #CEFTA #TransportCommunity #IAPR #EUIntegration #Athens2026

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

📍CEFTA Secretariat participated in the WB6 Joint Working Group on Investment (JWGI) meeting in Vienna, organised by RCC and the World Bank Group with support from the European Commission.

🤝 Discussions focused on CRM 2025–2028 priorities: the Regional Investment Facilitation Roadmap, green investment incentives, investment promotion, and measures to strengthen the regional investment ecosystem.

📈 The Roadmap is particularly important for CEFTA as a potential basis for future discussions on a CEFTA investment facilitation framework aligned with the WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement.

🌍 CEFTA remains committed to reforms that improve transparency, predictability and efficiency for investors, while supporting regional integration and EU accession.
#CEFTA #CRM20252028 #InvestmentFacilitation #WesternBalkans #EUIntegration

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

🛒 E-commerce grows when consumers trust it.
This week in Montenegro, the CEFTA Consumer Protection Expert Group discussed how to make cross-border online shopping across CEFTA simpler, safer and more reliable.

Key topics:
✅ CEFTA Joint Committee Decision No. 2/2024 on E-commerce Facilitation
✅ Consumer protection under the Common Regional Market
✅ Future CEFTA Consumer Protection Centres
✅ Lessons from ECC-Net, BEUC, ECC Poland, ECC Croatia & ECC Moldova
✅ Practical solutions for disputes and ADR

Stronger consumer protection = stronger trust.
Stronger trust = stronger e-commerce.
And stronger e-commerce means more opportunities for businesses and consumers across the region, bringing us closer to the EU.

🤝 Organised by CEFTA Secretariat & EU4Trade, #GIZ, co-financed by the EU and the German Federal Government.
#CEFTA #CommonRegionalMarket #Ecommerce #ConsumerProtection #EU4Trade

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

📍 31st CEFTA Customs Meeting (Sarajevo, 2 June) confirmed strong commitment to customs modernisation & digitalisation across CEFTA.

Key progress:
• PEM & e-PoC advancing steadily
• AEO progress and exploring EU ‘Trust & Check’ future potential
• SEED+ improving data exchange (risk profiles, scanner images, VAT data, pre-arrival info)
• EAD & PAP expanding fully digital procedures
• TRS supporting faster, more efficient clearance

🚀 CEFTA is moving toward faster, safer and EU-aligned trade flows.
#CEFTA #AEO #Digitalisation #Customs

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

📍Sarajevo, June 3, 2026
💻A fully operational local database of unsafe and non-compliant products is now in place within the Market Surveillance Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with automatic updates to the central CEFTA database ensuring continuous data exchange across CEFTA.
🔎The database will support both proactive and reactive market surveillance activities, enabling authorities to manage inspections more efficiently and maintain reliable records of unsafe and non-compliant products.
🤝This development further strengthens regional cooperation and contributes to a safer market and improved consumer protection across CEFTA.

SEED+, Connecting CEFTA, transforming trade
#SEEDPlus #CEFTA #MarketSurveillance #ConsumerProtection #RegionalCooperation #EUIntegration

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

📍Brussels | CEFTA Parties reaffirmed commitment to faster economic integration within CEFTA and gradual access to the EU Single Market through the Common Regional Market Action Plan 2025–2028 as the second pillar of the Growth Plan.

Focus: Green Lanes, digital trade, e-signatures, customs cooperation & paperless trade.

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

🤝 The CEFTA Secretariat attended the launch of EU4IP Western Balkans in Alicante, supporting stronger IP systems across CEFTA Parties ahead of EU accession.

📍 Director Kastrati also met with EUIPO Director Negrão to discuss closer CEFTA–EUIPO cooperation in supporting CEFTA Parties on their EU path.

#CEFTA #IPR #EU4IP #EUIPO

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

📍 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 | 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬, 𝟏𝟏 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 |𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐔 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬

The upcoming Conference will bring together Directors General of Customs administrations from CEFTA Parties and EU Member States, representatives of the @EU_Commission, the business community, and key regional and international partners to discuss the future of regional connectivity, trade facilitation, and gradual integration with the EU Single Market.
The event is co-organised by @AADE_IAPR, the CEFTA Secretariat through the SEED+ Action, and the @EUWB6_TCT Secretariat.

📌 Registration is now open → Register here → https://t.co/3ReTqPhfKK

See you in Athens this June!
#CEFTA #SEEDPlus #RegionalCooperation #Customs #TradeFacilitation #EUIntegration #Digitalisation #Connectivity #Athens2026

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

How do we strengthen product safety and market surveillance across CEFTA?

Yesterday in Brussels, representatives of the CEFTA Parties, the CEFTA Secretariat, SEED+ experts, and the #EuropeanCommission came together to finalise the Decision on Market Surveillance and Compliance of Products.

Inspired by the EU Safety Gate and the EU’s Information and Communication System for Market Surveillance (ICSMS), the discussions focused on:
✔️ improving the exchange of information on unsafe and non-compliant products;
✔️ aligning regulatory frameworks with EU rules and practices;
✔️ strengthening cooperation between market surveillance and customs administrations

Through stronger coordination, digital tools, and closer alignment with EU practices, CEFTA continues advancing towards a safer, more transparent, and more connected market. Today’s discussions marked another important step toward more effective product compliance and market surveillance across CEFTA.

#CEFTA #SEEDplus #MarketSurveillance #ProductSafety #EUIntegration #DigitalTransformation #SafetyGate

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

How can cooperation between administrations become faster, smarter, and more connected? 🇪🇺🤝
Yesterday in Brussels, representatives from the CEFTA Parties, the CEFTA Secretariat, the SEED+ team, and the #EuropeanCommission came together to discuss the establishment of a system inspired by the EU’s Internal Market Information (IMI) System for CEFTA.
The discussions focused on:
✔️ how the EU IMI System supports efficient administrative cooperation across institutions
✔️ the necessary regulatory framework for establishing such a system within CEFTA
✔️ proposed areas of administrative cooperation and information exchange
✔️ technical implementation and next steps for connectivity
By aligning with proven EU models, EU best practices, and the EU acquis, CEFTA continues advancing digital cooperation, transparency, and more efficient communication between administrations across CEFTA.
From regulatory discussions to technical implementation, today’s agenda marked another important step towards stronger integration and closer alignment with EU Single Market principles. 🇪🇺

#CEFTA #SEEDplus #EUIntegration #RegionalCooperation #IMI

[Central European Free Trade Agreement @CEFTA_]

🎓The CEFTA Research Award is now open!
Master’s & PhD students from CEFTA Parties are invited to submit research tackling real CEFTA policy challenges through the CEFTA Academic Network.

Research themes:
📦 Agri-food trade
🏭 Industrial trade
🤝 Trade in services
🗓 Concept notes due: 30 June 2026

🔗 Apply now: https://t.co/RDWg0lZiUT

#CEFTA #CEFTAResearchAward #CEFTAAcademicNetwork #EUIntegration #TradePolicy