INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS IN WHICH ROMANIA IS A SIGNATORY PARTY
By courtesy of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce Preferential Agreements to which Romania is a PartyThe European Agreement Establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, on the one Side, and Romania, on the other Side
The Association Agreement between Romania and European Communities is aimed to ensure the gradual free circulation of goods, services, persons and capital within the area specified in the Agreement by a gradual elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers, during a 10 years period.
The Association Agreement between Romania and European Communities came into force on February 1, 1995, after the ratification by all Parties. Its trade mechanisms were applied from May 1st, 1993.
Romania's accession to the European Union represents a fundamental objective of the policy of the Romanian Government.
The Free Trade Agreement between the EFTA States and Romania
The main objective of the Free Trade Agreement between the EFTA States (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Island and Norway) and Romania is the creation of a free trade area between Romania and EFTA states during a transition period ending on 31 December 2002. This Agreement entered into force starting with May 1st, 1993, when the ratification procedures have been completed.
Agreement on Romania's membership to CEFTA Countries
The Agreement between Romania and CEFTA countries, entered into force on July 1, 1997, has as main objective to gradually create till January 1st, 2002 a free trade area between Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Bulgaria. Croatia joined CEFTA starting with March 1st, 2003.
The Agreement between Romania and CEFTA countries provides that trade in industrial products would be completely liberalized during the transition period. The transitiom period ended in December 31st, 2001. As regards the agricultural products and foodstuff, a system of common and bilateral concessions are granted.
Other Free Trade Agreements
The Agreement with Republic of Moldova, entered into force on January 1, 1995.
The free trade agreement with Turkey entered into force on February 1st, 1998.
The Free Trade Agreement with Israel entered into force on July 1st, 2001.
The Free Trade Agreement with Lithuania entered into force on July 1st, 2002.
The Free Trade Agreement with Albania entered into force on January 1st, 2004.
The Free Trade Agreement with Republic of Macedonia entered into force on January 1st, 2004.
The Protocol Relating to Trade Negotiations between Developing Countries (P16)
The parties to the Protocol benefit from a preferential margin on import customs duties for the goods included in their lists of concessions: Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Republic of Korea, Turkey, Tunisia and Uruguay. Romania became a party to this Protocol in 1978.
The Agreement on the Global System of Trade Preferences between Developing Countries (GSTP)
The parties to the Agreement (43 countries) benefit from a preferential margin on import customs duties for the goods included in their lists of concessions. Romania ratified the Agreement on GSTP in 1989.
Generalized system of preferences (GSP)
Romania benefits of a preferential treatment (reduction or elimination of the customs duties) under the generalized system of preferences (GSP) from the following donor countries: USA, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Russian Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Other International Agreements and Conventions to which Romania is Party
GATT and WTO
Romania has been a contracting party to the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) since 1971 and has ratified most codes of the Tokyo Round. It has been an active participant in the Uruguay Round. Romania is also founding member of the World Trade Organization - WTO (Law No. 133/1994, ratifying the Marrakech Agreement).
Romania is also a Member of the following international organizations:
The World Bank.
The International Monetary Fund.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
The International Civil Aviation Organization.
The World Intellectual Property Organization.
The International Maritime Organization.
The International Telecommunication Union.
The Universal Postal Union.
The International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Food and Agricultural Organization.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Romania is a member of the Organization on Security and Co-operation in Europe and of the United Nations European Economic Commission.
For more information: http://www.mincom.ro