What changed between the draft committee report and the plenary report

The autonomous trade measures have been a cornerstone of EU-Western Balkans relations for nearly 25 years, initially established in 2000 prior to the Stabilisation and Association Agreements. Despite their limited scope - covering suspension of specific duties for fruits and vegetables under the entry-price system and access to tariff quotas for wine - these measures remain economically significant for the region's agricultural producers who have consistently relied on them.

The data speaks volumes: between 2018 and 2024, trade covered by these measures expanded by over 125%, growing from EUR 60.5 million to EUR 137 million. This growth demonstrates the continued relevance and effectiveness of these preferential arrangements in fostering economic development and strengthening EU-Western Balkans commercial ties.

The measures contribute to total EU-Western Balkans trade, which exceeded EUR 83 billion in 2024, with the EU serving as the region's leading trade partner, accounting for almost 78% of regional exports and nearly 59% of imports in goods. This economic interdependence underscores the strategic importance of maintaining these preferential arrangements.

While the economic impact is targeted rather than broad, the measures provide essential market access stability for key agricultural products in a sensitive region. The extension avoids the complex process of amending individual bilateral agreements while maintaining the conditionality framework that ensures compliance with democratic principles, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. Importantly, the proposal has no additional budgetary implications for the EU.

Furthermore, the extension aligns with the Commission's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, adopted in November 2023, which emphasises closer integration of the region into the EU's single market.

The proposal carries over the existing regulation and deletes the obsolete reference to fisheries. Furthermore, it caters for needed legal clarity and consistency as regards the rules on suspension and temporary suspension of benefits.

Recommendation

This extension until 2030 represents therefore a measured, proportionate proposal that balances continuity, accountability and legal certainty. It provides the Western Balkans and economic operators with limited essential market access while maintaining appropriate conditionality mechanisms. The proposal demonstrates the EU's reliability as a partner and our commitment to the region's economic integration.

Under these circumstances, as a rapporteur, I therefore support this proposal for a regulation of the European parliament and of the council amending Regulation (EU) 2024/823 of 28 February 2024 on exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the Stabilisation and Association Process without amendments.