World Trade Organization members have supported an early accession of Serbia to the WTO and welcomed its progress in the implementation of new legislation to comply with the Organization's rules.

Members reviewed the draft Working Party report containing the reforms undertaken by Serbia to its trade regime. They requested clarifications on issues related to policies affecting trade in goods, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, intellectual property rights and regional trade agreements.

Members also evaluated the progress made in the on-going bilateral negotiations on market access for goods and services. Serbia has so far signed nine bilateral agreements. The Working Party Chair, Ambassador Marie-Claire Swärd Capra of Sweden, urged Serbia and WTO members to finalize as many bilateral agreements as possible in the near future.

Serbia’s State Secretary, Vesna Arsic said that Serbia has adopted some of the remaining laws relevant to the accession process, and she added that Serbia aimed at finalizing negotiations in the shortest time possible.

Serbia requested WTO membership February 2005, and the Panel held its first meeting in October 2005.

According to the WTO, the next meeting could be scheduled for early 2012.

October 7, 2011

Source: Tax News

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