Serbian-Albanian trade tripled since 2006: Why there is room – and need – for more?
Serbian-Albanian trade tripled since 2006: Why there is room – and need – for more?

Author(s): Igor Novaković, Marija Govedarica
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Economy, National Economy, Supranational / Global Economy, International relations/trade, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development
Published by: ISAC - Centar za međunarodne i bezbednosne poslove
Keywords: Serbian–Albanian Relations; CEFTA; Regional Economic Integration; European Union Integration; Non-Tariff Trade Barriers; Western Balkans
Summary/Abstract: Serbian-Albanian relations have been gradually improving over the past 10 years. While at the political level, progress has been evident but minor, the economic dimension of relations appears more promising. Just in the past five years, trade exchange tripled, from around 40 million US dollars in 2006 to almost 140 million US dollars in 2010, out of which more than 90% represent Serbia’s exports to Albania. In fact, Albania now stands as one of the fastest growing markets for Serbian goods. As a comparison, Serbia’s exports to Turkey in 2010 were estimated to be around 90 million US dollars, yet political relations with Turkey have been emphasized to a much greater extent by Serbian politicians and media. In light of the experience of European integration in the past fifty years, mutual trade and economic integrations have been the basis for the improvement of relations between states through a so-called spill-over effect. In the same manner, Serbia and Albania should push for the further development of trade relations, which could then serve as the basis for the improvement of overall relations and for a reconciliation process between the two nations on their path towards the EU.

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