EFTA and Kosovo hold third round of free trade negotiations

Karin Büchel, Minister at the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, acted as the EFTA spokesperson, while Zef Dedaj, Acting General Director of KIESA at the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, headed the Kosovar delegation.

Delegations continued the work achieved in previous rounds and made progress across all negotiation areas. Offers on agricultural products were exchanged, and negotiations on market access for fish and industrial products are now well advanced. The newly included area of trade in services had a very positive start, with considerable textual progress made during the round, and the annex on financial services was concluded. This positive momentum, along with the agreed follow-ups by experts, brings the conclusion of the overall negotiations within reach for the next round.

In 2023, total trade between the EFTA States and Kosovo amounted to EUR 176 million, comprising EUR 99 million in exports from the EFTA States to Kosovo and EUR 76 million in imports from Kosovo to the EFTA States. Read more about merchandise trade between EFTA and the Republic of Kosovo here.

Public report