The participants of the International Round Table “Cross-Border Enforcement in Commercial Matters in the Western Balkans”, held in Pržno, concluded that “the existing mechanisms of cross-border collection of debts from commercial entities on the territory of the Western Balkans ought to be improved if trade cooperation between countries in the region was to be enhanced”. The Round Table country-participants, namely Serbia, Montenegro and Albania, emphasised that, given that they all were signatories to the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), they each had an obligation to create free trade zone in line with clearly defined objectives.

As one of the most important objectives, the Round Table participants singled out efforts to improving conditions that would allow stronger promotion of investments, including direct foreign investments, i.e. eliminating trade obstacles and irregularities, thereby facilitating smoother transport of goods and services between the signatories’ respective territories. The participants concurred that efforts towards establishing legal mechanisms modelled after the existing EU instruments were entirely in accordance with CEFTA.

Furthermore, they agreed that creating a joint legal instrument for enforcement would significantly improve the existing business investment environment in the Western Balkans. All participants of the Round Table – otherwise organised by the Balkan Enforcement Initiative - found it essential to continue the dialogue to be able to meet all the discussed objectives.

Assistant Justice Minister Jelena Deretić and the delegation of the Serbian Public Bailiffs Chamber participated in the Round Table on behalf of the Republic of Serbia.