Serbia–EAEU: Integration Prospects in a Free Trade Area

This working paper explores the prospects, risks and positive effects of Serbia joining a Free Trade Agreement with the EAEU. An analysis of current free trade agreements has demonstrated that Serbia strives to maintain a multi-vector foreign economic policy that straddles Europe and Eurasia. Serbia’s agreements with its European partners clearly reflect its tendency to systemically fit into the European context, while its agreements with the countries of the EAEU are not united by common rules and norms. We believe that a Free Trade Agreement spanning Serbia and the entire EAEU may afford Serbian manufacturers additional opportunities for expanding their presence in the Eurasian region and could boost Serbia’s standing in building its foreign trade alliances in other economic regions, including Asia.

This working paper explores the prospects, risks and positive effects of Serbia joining a Free Trade Agreement with the EAEU. An analysis of current free trade agreements has demonstrated that Serbia strives to maintain a multi-vector foreign economic policy that straddles Europe and Eurasia. Serbia’s agreements with its European partners clearly reflect its tendency to systemically fit into the European context, while its agreements with the countries of the EAEU are not united by common rules and norms. We believe that a Free Trade Agreement spanning Serbia and the entire EAEU may afford Serbian manufacturers additional opportunities for expanding their presence in the Eurasian region and could boost Serbia’s standing in building its foreign trade alliances in other economic regions, including Asia.

Serbia–EAEU: Integration Prospects in a Free Trade Area, 2.9 Mb