Top UN official signs free trade agreement between Kosovo and Albania

The top United Nations official in Kosovo and the Minister for Economy of Albania today signed a trade agreement to immediately liberalize 50 per cent of goods traded between them, while seeking to expand the amount to 90 per cent over the next six years.

Only few industrial and some agricultural goods will remain protected under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed by the head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Michael Steiner, and Minister Arben Malaj.

The FTA will foster economic integration of Kosovo into the region and increase opportunities for business people on all sides. It is the first free trade agreement that has been signed for Kosovo.

In another effort to bring Kosovo into "greater conformity with international and European standards," Mr. Steiner promulgated yesterday the Criminal Code, which clarifies and modernizes definitions of offences and incorporates UNMIK regulations and international legal conventions. It takes into account modern principles of international law and, in particular, human rights law.

Mr. Steiner also signed the new Criminal Procedure Code, which strengthens the powers of prosecutors and enhances protection of victims and defendants.

The two codes will however be implemented only from April next year. This is to allow the training of legal professionals, the re-organization of the judicial system where necessary and time for a public information campaign on the new regulations.