1.

Member(s) notifying:

The EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)

2.

Date of notification:

11 September 2024

3.

Notification pursuant to:

[X]    Paragraph 14 of the Transparency Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements (_WT/L/671)

4.

Changes affect:

[X]    goods

[  ]    services

[  ]  both

5.

Original RTA being modified:

Free Trade Agreement between the EFTA States and Serbia

6.

WTO document reference of original notification of RTA: _WT/REG290/N/1

7.

Parties to the Agreement:

Serbia and the EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)

8.

Date of adoption:

20 May 2015

9.

Date(s) of entry into Force/provisional-application:

1 February 2017

10.

Brief description of the changes: The EFTA States and the Republic of Serbia agreed to amend the Free Trade Agreement to include new provisions that align with sustainable development objectives. The Protocol amends the preamble and key articles to emphasize commitments to democracy, human rights, environmental protection, and the promotion of sustainable trade practices. A new chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development has been added, covering areas such as environmental and labour standards, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable goods and services. These changes aim to enhance economic relations while ensuring that trade and investment support environmental and social goals.

11.

Text and related schedules, annexes and protocols are:

[X]    submitted to the WTO Secretariat (electronic format)

[X]    available from the following official Internet link(s):

https://www.efta.int/sites/default/files/documents/legal-texts/free-trade-relations/serbia/annexes-protocols-declaration/EFTA-Serbia%20Protocol%20amending%20the%20FTA%20betwen%20EFTA%20and%20Serbia.pdf