Non-tariff barriers and technical regulations. 3rd Workshop Report.

Vinokurov, E., Balás, P., Emerson, M., Havlik, P., Pereboev, V., Rovenskaya, E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2761-3443, Stepanova, A., Kofner, J., & Kabat, P. (2016). Non-tariff barriers and technical regulations. 3rd Workshop Report. In: Challenges and Opportunities of Economic Integration within a Wider European and Eurasian Space, 20-21 November, 2014, IIASA, Laxenburg.

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Abstract

The 3d workshop within the IIASA project “Challenges and Opportunities of Economic Integration within a Wider European and Eurasian Space” held on 20-21 November, 2014 in Laxenburg, Austria discussed the major issues related to the compatibility and costs of technical regulations used by different countries and unions, and also the non-tariff barriers affecting the trade among them.

The workshop concentrated on major aspects related to the existing non-tariff barriers in trade between the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the European Union (EU), and other CIS countries. The participants discussed the challenges related to the general non-tariff barriers that exist between the EU, the EAEU, and the CIS countries, as well as possible solutions, particularly in the context of recent economic and political developments. The workshop also discussed the relationship between the norms and principles of international trade law contained in the provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO); analyzed the legal framework of economic integration in various regions of the world; and reflected on the potential for eliminating unnecessary obstacles to trade, including by mutual recognition of conformity.

The workshop was focused particularly on the potential effects of the implementation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTA) between the EU and Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. It also addressed the economic impacts of the currently applied mutual sanctions conflict” between the EU, the USA and some other Western nations on the one hand, and Russia on the other, their impacts on international trade, and on the potentials of long-term cooperation between the EU and the EAEU. The impacts on economies of other CIS countries, not directly involved, were also touched upon.

Harmonization of legislation in the field of technical, as well as sanitary, phytosanitary, and veterinary regulations between the EAEU and other regions, primarily the EU, was addressed in detail. The discussion covered the harmonization of terminology and labeling; harmonization of national and regional standards with international standards; accreditation, product safety, training in the field of standardization and conformity assessment as well as trade facilitation.

In order to foster interdisciplinary and international dialogue on the topic, the workshop brought together well-established scientists, policymakers, banks and companies representatives from around the world, including: Péter Balás, Deputy Director General, DG Trade, European Commission; Igor Finogenov, Chairman of the Management Board, Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), Kazakhstan; Pavel Kabat, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, IIASA; Evgeny Vinokurov, Director, Centre for Integration Studies, Eurasian Development Bank; Paul de Lusignan, Leading Expert, Tariff and Non-Tariff Negotiations, Rules of Origin, DG Trade, European Commission, , Stefanie Harter, Head, Liaison Office to the German Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Interior and Justice, German Agency for International Cooperation, Evgeny Hotulev, Director, Department of Macroeconomic Policy, Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), Oleg Noginskiy, Director, Ukrainian Association Suppliers of the Customs Union, Veronika Movchan, Director, Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting (IER), Alessandro Nicita, Officer-in-Charge, Trade Policy Research Section, Trade Analysis Branch, Division on International Trade, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), among many others, with a total of 41 participants.

The workshop participants discussed possible ways how non-tariff barriers could be reduced and convergence of technical regulations to the mutual benefit of all parties involved could be achieved. In this context, they also analyzed the opportunities and risks of economic modernization of the East-European partnership countries, if they adapt to European technical regulations and sanitary requirements. Possibilities for providing a unified policy, removing bottlenecks and differences in the sphere of technical regulation in the EAEU countries, was examined; and the impacts of such policy on producers of goods and services in different regions with regard to ensuring their competitiveness were assessed.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Research Programs:	Advanced Systems Analysis (ASA) Directorate (DIR)
Depositing User:	Michaela Rossini
Date Deposited:	17 Nov 2016 17:07
Last Modified:	27 Aug 2021 17:28
URI:	https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/13968

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