News

Kosovo succeeded in leading CEFTA

Prishtinë, 05/12/2025

The conclusion of CEFTA Week 2025 in Pristina marked a historic event for Kosovo, as for the first time it chaired the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).

With the theme “Trading Together, Towards Europe”, CEFTA Week 2025 (1–3 December) gathered together high-level representatives from CEFTA member states, the European Commission, regional and international organizations, development partners, representatives from the private sector and academia. During this week, the joint commitment to deepen regional economic integration and advance the Regional Common Market towards integration into the European Single Market was reconfirmed!

As CEFTA Chair for 2025, I had the honor to open the main conference “CEFTA WEEK 2025: Trading Together, Towards Europe”, which followed the meetings of CEFTA bodies and special events held on 1–2 December 2025.

The conference reflected the highly commended messages from Valentina Superti (European Commission, DG ENEST), Amer Kapetanović (Secretary General, RCC), Matej Zakonjšek (Director, Transport Community) and Pranvera Kastrati (Director, CEFTA Secretariat), on Kosovo’s successful CEFTA chairmanship through 2025. From inspiring student panels to high-level debates and practical studies on relevant topics, it highlighted how deeper economic integration in the region is shaping a more competitive future towards integration into the European Single Market.

Panelists explored the further development of CEFTA, regional economic integration, digital trade facilitation, the role of Artificial Intelligence, cooperation with international partners and the new OECD Economic Convergence Scoreboard.

CEFTA Week 2025 proved that a more integrated region is a stronger region and closer to the European Union.

KEY RESULTS:

 Equal representation of Kosovo in CEFTA, following the final withdrawal of UNMIK:

After 13 years of implementation of the CEFTA Agreement, for the first time, we took the official initiative to regulate Kosovo's representation in CEFTA.

 On September 24, 2021, as Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, I addressed a letter to the CEFTA secretariat in Brussels, requesting the removal of UNMIK from this mechanism and for Kosovo to be represented equally with other countries.

 On October 9, 2024, at the Special Meeting of the CEFTA Joint Committee, we adopted the Decision on Amending the Rules of Procedure, whereby we definitively removed UNMIK's participation in CEFTA and Kosovo's representation in CEFTA solely by its institutions.

January 1, 2025, a historic achievement for Kosovo – we assumed the chairmanship of the CEFTA Joint Committee for 2025, for the first time from Kosovo institutions.

 CEFTA institutional continuity, after a two-year deadlock:

On March 7, 2025, at the First Meeting of the CEFTA Joint Committee, chaired by Kosovo, in Pristina, we prioritized stronger coordination across all CEFTA mechanisms - encouraging all CEFTA Parties to move from commitments to concrete results, for the full implementation of CEFTA obligations, without any delay.

 On July 16, 2025, at the Second Meeting of the CEFTA Joint Committee, chaired by Kosovo, we achieved an important step: the institutional continuity of CEFTA for the economic integration of the region with the EU market. Through a transparent process, based on meritocracy, with a full consensus vote, we appointed Ms. Pranvera Kastrati to the position of Director of the CEFTA Secretariat, after a two-year deadlock.

 Strengthening Free Trade in Goods and Services and Advancing the Regional Common Market towards Integration into the European Single Market:

During 2025, the CEFTA Secretariat continued its function in support of the implementation of the CEFTA strategic agenda, facilitated dialogue between the Parties and ensured the effective implementation of CEFTA measures within the framework of the Regional Common Market Action Plan (CRM2).

The CEFTA Joint Committee, led by Kosovo, adopted 11 key decisions during 2025. These decisions include:

• Mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO)

• Electronic data exchange on controlled substances.

• Strengthening trade statistics.

• Digital cooperation.

• Customs Risk Management Strategy 2025–2028.

As the Chair of CEFTA during this year 2025, I thank the CEFTA member parties for their contribution and active participation in the implementation of the CEFTA Joint Committee Work Program for 2025.

Thanks and gratitude to the European Commission for its strong support, regarding the mutual recognition of documents and agreements, as well as for the financial support for the proper functioning of CEFTA.

Thanks to the international partners, the business community, academia, for their valuable cooperation.                                                                                                                                    The CEFTA 2025 Week in Pristina concluded Kosovo's historic chairmanship and paved the way for Albania to chair CEFTA in 2026. To the Albanian counterpart, Ms. Delina Ibrahimaj, Minister of Economy and Innovation, I extend my best wishes for success in her CEFTA chairmanship in 2026!