The Republic of Kosovo, namely the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has signed partnership, trade and cooperation agreements with the United Kingdom.
On behalf of the Republic of Kosovo, the agreement was signed by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Endrit Shala, whereas from the United Kingdom, the ambassador of this state in Kosovo Nicholas Abbott.
Minister Shala emphasized that the objectives of this Agreement are to increase and strengthen economic cooperation and standard of living between the two countries.
“Promoting and expanding bilateral trade through harmonised development of economic relations between the two countries, eliminating barriers and restrictions on trade in goods and services, by eliminating barriers in trade, contributing to the development and expanding the harmonized world trade, ensuring equal conditions of competition in trade between the two countries and cooperation for the proper and efficient protection of intellectual property rights”, said Minister Shala.
According to Shala, in terms of trade volume, Kosovo's trade with the United Kingdom is not as substantive as it is strategic.
"According to the latest statistics, the United Kingdom represents with about 3 percent of exports and 0.7 percent of our imports. However, the importance of maintaining open markets for our exports can not only be measured in terms of current trade turnover, but also in the potential for increasing Kosovar exports in the near future. The rate of growth of our exports in the United Kingdom in the future depends on our policies and the actions of the private sector, but we must keep the opportunity open, “said Shala.
“Apart from the economic aspect, the signing of this agreement with the United Kingdom, which has recognized the independence of the Republic of Kosovo, has important diplomatic implications. The signing of the agreement is a re-affirmation of recognition as a state and as an independent customs territory, “he said.
Whereas the United Kingdom Ambassador in Kosovo, Nicholas Abbott said that he is very happy to have signed this agreement and it is a very important step in the relations between Kosovo and the United Kingdom.
"Kosovo is the first state in the Western Balkans to sign this agreement and it is important for the political relations that will continue between Kosovo and the United Kingdom," said Ambassador Abbott.
It is important to note that this Agreement will enter into force after the date on which the EU-Kosovo Agreement ceases to apply in the United Kingdom (the Agreement will enter into force after the United Kingdom leaves the EU).
