WT/REG454/2  
 
18 October  2023 
(23-6743) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  Original: English  
 
PARTNERSHIP TRADE AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE  
UNITED KINGDOM  AND ALBANIA  
(GOODS  AND SERVICES)  
QUESTIONS AND REPLIES  
 The following communication, dated 16 October  2023, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegations of  the United Kingdom and Albania . 
 
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Question from Canada  
Scope and definitions  
1.1.  Paragraph 4.5 of the RTA notes that:  
 "the Parties agree to continue aligning their legislation to secure operation of the 
following incorporated provisions: Article 46 (Chapter I, movement of workers); 
Articles  50, 51(1) and 55 (Chapter II, establishment); and Articles 57, 58(1) and 59 
(Chapter III, supply of services)"  
 
 Could the Parties provide more information regarding this obliga tion, including how 
it is accomplished and whether there is a specific timeline to achieve this alignment?  
 
Joint response from the Parties  
 
 The Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Albania and the 
United Kingdom of Great B ritain and Northern Ireland is an incorporated agreement based on the 
Stabilisation and Association Agreement that Albania has with European Communities and their 
Member States. The provisions of the EU -Albania Agreement are incorporated into this Agreemen t 
(and related expressions are to be read accordingly).  
 
 In this context, Article 69A, paragraph 1 of the Continuity Agreement, states that 
notwithstanding that this Agreement does not commit Albania to approximate its legislation to that 
of the United Kingdom, the Parties recognise that there is an alignment of their legislation as a result 
of the EU -Albania Agreement in the relevant sectors. The Parties agree that the operation of the 
following provisions of this Continuity Agreement depends upo n the continued alignment of their 
legislation in the relevant sectors:  
 
 Title V (Movement of workers, Establishment, Supply of Services, Current Payments and 
Movement of Capital):  
 
- Chapter I Movement of Workers (Article 46);  
- Chapter II Establishment (Ar ticles 50, 51(1) and 55); and  
- Chapter III Supply of services (Articles 57, 58(1) and 59).  
 
 According to Article 69 A, paragraph 2 of the Continuity Agreement, if a Party considers that 
the necessary level of alignment of their legislation is no longer re ached, it may request consultations 
on the matter.  WT/REG454/2  
 
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   Paragraphs 2,3,4 and 5 of Article 69 A provides for deadlines on consultations which shall take 
place no later than 30 days after the date of delivery of the request for consultations by the other 
Party.  If the matter is not resolved within 45 days of the consultation request date, a Party may 
suspend the operation of the provisions referred to in paragraph 1 after having notified the other 
Party in accordance with paragraph 4.  
 
 The suspension shall not take place sooner than 90 days after the date of delivery of the 
notification referred to in that paragraph.  
 
 In the event of a Party suspending provisions according to paragraph 3, the Parties shall offer 
the services or service suppliers of the other Pa rty treatment no less favourable than that accorded 
to like services or service suppliers of any third country. Preferential treatment granted by either 
Party to the services or service suppliers of a third country consistent with GATS shall be excluded 
from this paragraph.  
 
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