REPORT on the 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
7.10.2025 - (COM(2025)0229 – C10‑0083/2025 – 2025/0108(COD)) - ***I
Committee on International Trade
Rapporteur: Kris Van Dijck
DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
on the 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
(COM(2025)0229 – C10‑0083/2025 – 2025/0108(COD))
(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2025)0229),
– having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 207(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C10‑0083/2025),
– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
– having regard to Rule 60 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the report of the Committee on International Trade (A10-0188/2025),
1. Adopts its position at first reading, taking over the Commission proposal;
2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;
3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
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.
ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT
The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not include in his report input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register[1], or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE
Title |
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 |
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References |
COM(2025)0229 – C10-0083/2025 – 2025/0108(COD) |
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Date submitted to Parliament |
14.5.2025 |
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Committee(s) responsible Date announced in plenary |
INTA 16.6.2025 |
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Rapporteurs Date appointed |
Kris Van Dijck 23.6.2025 |
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Discussed in committee |
24.9.2025 |
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Date adopted |
6.10.2025 |
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Result of final vote |
+: –: 0: |
32 3 3 |
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Members present for the final vote |
Christophe Bay, Anna Bryłka, Udo Bullmann, Andi Cristea, Enikő Győri, Céline Imart, Taner Kabilov, Karin Karlsbro, Rudi Kennes, Rihards Kols, Sebastian Kruis, Bernd Lange, Ilia Lazarov, Thierry Mariani, Gabriel Mato, Javier Moreno Sánchez, Ştefan Muşoiu, Daniele Polato, Lukas Sieper, Inese Vaidere, Kathleen Van Brempt, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Catarina Vieira, Jörgen Warborn, Iuliu Winkler, Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski, Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez |
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Substitutes present for the final vote |
Mika Aaltola, Dan Barna, Nicolas Bay, Saskia Bricmont, Dariusz Joński, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Martin Schirdewan, Kris Van Dijck |
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Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote |
Jeannette Baljeu, Thomas Pellerin-Carlin |
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Date tabled |
9.10.2025 |
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FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE
32 |
+ |
ECR |
Nicolas Bay, Rihards Kols, Daniele Polato, Kris Van Dijck |
NI |
Taner Kabilov, Lukas Sieper |
PPE |
Mika Aaltola, Céline Imart, Dariusz Joński, Ilia Lazarov, Gabriel Mato, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Inese Vaidere, Jörgen Warborn, Iuliu Winkler, Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski, Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez |
PfE |
Enikő Győri, Sebastian Kruis |
Renew |
Jeannette Baljeu, Dan Barna, Karin Karlsbro, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne |
S&D |
Udo Bullmann, Andi Cristea, Bernd Lange, Javier Moreno Sánchez, Ştefan Muşoiu, Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, Kathleen Van Brempt |
The Left |
Rudi Kennes, Martin Schirdewan |
3 |
- |
PfE |
Christophe Bay, Anna Bryłka, Thierry Mariani |
3 |
0 |
Verts/ALE |
Saskia Bricmont, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, Catarina Vieira |
Key to symbols:
+ : in favour
- : against
0 : abstention
- [1] Interinstitutional Agreement of 20 May 2021 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on a mandatory transparency register (OJ L 207, 11.6.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_interinstit/2021/611/oj).