WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/REG197/1 
3 May 2005 
 
 (05-1816) 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements Original:   English 
  
 
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CROATIA AND 
THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 
 
  The following communication, dated 23 March 2005, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Croatia. 
  
_______________ 
  
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND 
THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
* 
PREAMBLE  
The Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Macedonia hereinafter referred to as the 
"Contracting Parties", 
Expressing their readiness to strengthen the economic  co-operation, as well as to further 
develop the trade co-operation, with the intention to  enable better harmonisati on, and the extension of 
structure and enhancement of mutual trade exchange volume;   
Reaffirming their commitment to participate actively in  the process of economic integration in 
Europe, and expressing their preparedness to co-operate  in seeking ways and means to strengthen this 
process;   
Reaffirming their firm commitment to the principles of a market economy which constitutes 
the basis for their relations;   
Resolved to this end to eliminate progressively the obstacles to substantially all their mutual 
trade in accordance with the provisions of the Ge neral Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994;   
Firmly convinced that this Agreement will fost er the intensification of mutually 
beneficial trade relations between the respec tive countries and contribute to the process of 
integration in Europe;   
Considering that no provision of this Agreement may be interpreted as exempting the Contracting 
Parties from their obligations under other internationa l agreements, especially the General Agreement on 
Tariffs and Trade 1994 and the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation;   
Have agreed as follows:   
                                                      
* The Agreement on Amendments is  circulated in document WT/REG 197/2.  The associated Annexes 
have been submitted to the Secretariat for c onsultation by interested Members (office 1174). WT/REG197/1 
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 Article 1 
Objectives
 
1. The Contracting Parties shall gradually establish a free trade area in a transitional period 
ending on January 1, 2000, in acco rdance with the provisions of this agreement and in conformity 
with Article XXIV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994. 
2. The objectives of this Agreement are:   
(a) through the expansion of mutual trade to  promote the harmonious development of 
economic relations and to foster th e advancement of economic activities, 
improvement of living standards and employment possibilities and productivity enhancement and financial stability, 
(b) to provide fair conditions of competition fo r trade between the Contracting Parties, 
(c) to contribute to the harmonious developmen t and expansion of world trade by the 
removal of barriers to trade. 
CHAPTER I - INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 
Article 2 
Scope Of Application
 
1. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to industrial products originating in one of the 
Contracting Parties. 
2. The term "industrial products" means for the pu rpose of this Agreement the products falling 
within Chapters 25 to 97 of the Harmonized  Commodity Description and Coding System,  
Article 3 
Customs Duties On Imports  
1. No new customs duty shall be introduced in  trade between the Contracting Parties. 
2. The Republic of Croatia abolishes all customs duties on imported products originating in the 
Republic of Macedonia, except the 1% customs duty, as of the date of entry into force of this 
Agreement.   
3. The Republic of Macedonia abolishes all custom s duties on imported products originating in 
the Republic of Croatia, except the 1% customs charg es, from the date of entry into force of this 
Agreement.   
Article 4 
Special Charges  
1. No new special charges shall be introduced in  trade between the Contracting Parties.   
2. The Contracting Parties shall abolish all special char ges as of the date of entry into fore of this 
Agreement.  WT/REG197/1 
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 Article 5 
Fiscal Duties  
The Contracting Parties shall not apply or in troduce custom duties of a fiscal nature.   
Article 6 
Customs Duties On Exports And Charges Having Equivalent Effect  
1. No new customs duties on exports or charges havi ng equivalent effect shall be introduced in 
trade between the Contracting Parties.   
2. All customs duties on exports and charges having  equivalent effect shall be abolished on the 
date of entry into force of this Agreement.   
Article 7 
Quantitative Restrictions On Imports And Measures Having Equivalent Effect  
1. No new quantitative restrictions on imports or measures having equivalent effect shall be 
introduced in trade between the Contracting Parties. 
2. All quantitative restrictions and measures havi ng equivalent effect on imports of products 
originating in the Contracting Parties shall be ab olished on the date of entry into force of this 
Agreement. 
Article 8 
Quantitative Restrictions On Exports And Measures Having Equivalent Effect  
1. No new quantitative restriction on exports or measure having equivalent effect shall be 
introduced in trade between the Contracting Parties. 
2. All quantitative restrictions and measures havi ng equivalent effect on export of products 
originating in the Contracting Parties shall be ab olished on the date of entry into force of this 
Agreement. 
Article 9 
Elimination Of Technical Barriers To Trade  
1. The Contracting Parties shall co-operate a nd exchange information in the field of 
standardisation, metrology, conformity assessm ent and accreditation with the aim of reducing 
technical barriers to trade.   
2. In order to eliminate technical barriers and effectively implement this Agreement, the 
Contracting Parties may on the basis hereof conc lude an agreement on mutual recognition of the 
reports, certificates of conformity and other documents  directly or indirectly related to conformity 
assessment of the products which are the subject of the goods exchange between the Contracting 
Parties based on the regulations effective in the importing country.   WT/REG197/1 
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 3. The specification of conditions and methods fo r conformity assessment is prepared through 
mutual negotiations by institutions determined fo r the implementation of the conformity assessment 
process based on the laws in fo rce in the exporting country. 
CHAPTER II - AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS 
Article 10 
Scope
 
1. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to ag ricultural products originating in one of the 
Contracting Parties.   
2. The term "agricultural and food products" means for the purpose of this Agreement the 
products falling within Chapter 1 to 24 of th e Harmonised Commodity description and Coding 
System. 
Article 11 
Exchange Of Concessions  
1. The Contracting Parties shall grant each other th e concessions specified in Protocol 1 to this 
Agreement as laid down in that Protocol and in accordance with provisions of this Chapter. 
2. Taking into account the role of agriculture in their economies, the development of trade in 
agricultural and food products between the Contrac ting Parties, the particular sensitivity of the 
agricultural products, the rules of their agricultura l policies, the results of the multilateral trade 
negotiations under the General Agre ement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, the Contracting Parties shall 
examine the possibilities of granti ng each other further concessions. 
Article 12 
Concessions And Agricultural Policy  
1. Without prejudice to concessions granted under Artic le 11 of this Agreement, the provision of 
this Chapter shall not restrict in any way the pur suance of the respective ag ricultural policies of the 
Contracting Parties or the taking of any measures  under such policies, including the implementation 
of the results of the agreements of the World Trade Organisation.   
2. The Contracting Parties shall notify the Joint Committee under Article 33 of this Agreement 
on all changes in their respective agricultural policies pursued or m easures applied which may affect 
the conditions of trade in agricultural products between them, pursuant to provisions of this 
Agreement.  On the request of a Contracting Party, prompt consultations shall be held, to examine the 
situation.   
Article 13 
Specific Safeguards  
Notwithstanding other provisions of this Agre ement, in particular Article 26 to this 
Agreement, and given the particular sensitivity of  the agricultural and food products, if imports of 
products originating in a Contracting Party whic h are subject to concessions granted under this 
Agreement cause serious disturbances to the market of the other Contracting Party, the Contracting  WT/REG197/1 
 Page 5 
 
 
 Party concerned shall immediately enter into consulta tions to find an appropriate solution.  If required 
by the circumstances, the affected Contracting Party may take measures it deems necessary for a 
limited period or until the disturbances on the market exist, i.e. until the Contracting Parties find a joint solution.   
Such measures may not result in less favourable treatment of the products originating in the 
Contracting Parties in comparison with the products originating in the third countries, according to the 
most favoured national treatment.   
Article 14 
Sanitary And Phytosanitary Measures
 
1. The Contracting Parties shall apply their regula tions in veterinary, plant health and health 
matters, in particular in the exchange of inform ation in infectious diseases of domestic animals, 
quarantine diseases, plant pests and weed, as well as in the adjustment of similar documents in the 
exchange and transport of goods. 
2. The Contracting Parties shall apply their regula tions in veterinary, plant health and health 
matters in a non-discriminatory fashion and shall no t introduce any new measures that have the effect 
of unduly obstructing trade.   
CHAPTER III - GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Article 15 
Rules Of Origin And Co-Operation In Customs Administration  
1. Protocol 2 to this Agreement lays down th e rules of origin and related methods of 
administrative co-operation. 
2. The Contracting Parties shall take appropriate  measures, including regular reviews by the 
Joint Committee under Article 33 of this Agreem ent and arrangements for administrative co-
operation, to ensure that the provisions of Protocol 2 of this Agreement and Articles 2 to 9, 11, 16 and 
27 of this Agreement, are effectively and harmonious ly applied, and to reduce the formalities imposed 
on trade, and to achieve mutually satisfactory solutions to any difficulties arising from the operation 
of those provisions.   
3. Protocol 3 of this Agreement shall stipulat e mutual assistance and co-operation between 
Customs Administrations of the Contracting Parties.   
Article 16 
Internal Taxation  
1. The Contracting Parties shall refrain from any meas ure or practice of an internal fiscal nature 
establishing whether directly or indirectly, discrim ination between the products originating in the 
Contracting Parties. 
2. The exporters may not benefit from repayment of internal taxation in excess of the amount 
directly or indirectly imposed, for the products e xported to the territory of one of the Contracting 
Parties.   WT/REG197/1 
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 3. In relation to the tax burden of the products orig inating in the Contracting Parties, two states 
undertake to give the national treatment to imported products until January 1, 1998.   
Article 17 
General Exceptions
 
This Agreement shall not preclude prohibitions or  restrictions on imports, exports or goods in 
transit justified on grounds of:   
- public morality, public polic y or public security;   
- the protection of health and life of humans, animals or plants;   
- the protection of national treasures possessing artistic, historic or archaeological 
value;   
- the protection of intellectual property;   
- the rules relating to gold or silver;   
- the environment protection and especially, the conservation of exhaustible natural 
resources, 
if such measures are made effe ctive in conjunction with restri ctions on domestic production or 
consumption or in accordance with international agreements. 
Such prohibitions or restrictions shall not , however, constitute a means of arbitrary 
discrimination or a disguised restriction on trade between the Contracting Parties.   
Article 18 
Security Exceptions  
The provisions of this Agreement shall not pr event the Contracting Parties from taking any 
appropriate measure which it considers necessary:   
1. To prevent the disclosure of information cont rary to essential security interests of the 
Contracting Parties;   
2. For the protection of its essential security inter ests or for the implementation of  international 
obligations or national policies:   
(i) relating to the traffic in arms, ammun ition and implements of war, provided 
that such measures do not impair the c onditions of competition in respect of 
products not intended for specifically military purposes, and to such traffic in other goods, materials and services as is carried on directly or indirectly for 
the purpose of supplying a military establishment;  or 
(ii) relating to the non proliferation of biol ogical and chemical weapons, nuclear 
weapons or other nuclear explosive devices;  or 
(iii) measures taken in time of war or othe r serious international tension;    WT/REG197/1 
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 3. Pursuant to regulations being in force in the Contracting Parties, the competent institutions 
shall grant import, i.e. export licenses, for the pr oducts which are subject to export-import licenses 
regime stipulated by internationa l agreements and connections;   
4. In mutual trade between the Contracting Par ties the provisions of regulations pursuant to 
international agreements and connections shal l be applied to  envi ronment polluting goods, 
originating in a Contracting Party.   
Article 19 
State Monopolies  
1. The Contracting Parties shall adjust progressively any State monopoly of a commercial 
character so as to ensure that by the end of the fifth year from the da te of entry into force of this 
Agreement, no discrimination regarding the conditio ns under which goods are procured and marketed 
exists between nationals of the Contracting parties.  The Joint Committee shall be informed on 
measures undertaken to that end.   
2. The provisions of this Article shall apply to any body through which the competent 
authorities of the Contracting Parties, in law or in  fact, either directly or indirectly supervise, 
determine or appreciably influence imports or e xports between the Contracting Parties.  These 
provisions shall likewise apply to monopolies delegated by the State to other bodies.   
Article 20 
Payments  
1. All settlements and payments relating to trade in goods, services or rights on intangible goods 
between the Contracting Parties shall be made in convertible currency in accordance with their 
respective national legislation.   
2. Settlements and payments can be made in an y other form which is in accordance with 
national legislation of the Contracting Parties.   
Article 21 
Rules Of Competition Concerning Undertakings  
1. The following are incompatible with the proper functioning of this Agreement in so far as 
they may affect trade between the Contracting Parties:   
(a) all agreements between undertakings, decisi ons by associations of undertakings and 
concerted practices between undertakings which have as their object or effect the 
prevention, restriction or distortion of competition;   
(b) abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in the territories of the 
Contracting Parties as a whole or in a substantial part thereof. 
2. The provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article shall apply to the activities of all undertakings including 
public undertakings and undertakings to which the Contracting Parties grants special or exclusive rights. 
Undertakings entrusted with the operation of services of general economic interest or having 
the character of a revenue-producing monopoly, shall be  subject to provisions of paragraph 1 in so far WT/REG197/1 
Page 8  
 
 as the application of these provisions does not obst ruct the performance, in law or fact, of the 
particular public tasks assigned to them.   
3. With regard to products referred to in Ch apter II of this Agreement the provisions of 
paragraph 1 (a) shall not apply to such agreements , decisions and practices which form an integral 
part of a national market organisation.   
4. If a Contracting Party considers that a given prac tice is incompatible with  paragraphs 1, 2 and 
3 and if such practice causes or threatens to cause seri ous prejudice to the interest of that Contracting 
Party or material injury to its domestic indus try, it may take appropriate measures under the 
conditions and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 31 to this Agreement. 
Article 22 
State Aid
 
1. Any aid granted by the state being the Contracting Party to this Agreement or through State 
resources in any form whatsoever which distorts  or threatens to distort competition by favouring 
certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it may affect trade between 
the Contracting Parties, be incompatible with  the proper functioning of this Agreement. 
2. The Joint Committee shall, within  three years from the entry into force of this Agreement, 
adopt the criteria on the basis of which the practices  contrary to paragraph 1 shall be assessed, as well 
as the rules for their implementation. 
3. The Contracting Parties shall ensure transparen cy in the area of state aid, inter alia by 
reporting annually to the Joint Committee on the total amount and the distribution of the aid given and by providing to the other Contracting Party, upon request, information on aid schemes and on 
particular individual cases of state aid. 
4. If a Contracting Party considers that a particular practice:   
- is incompatible with the terms of paragra ph 1, and is not adequately dealt with under 
the implementing rules referred to in paragraph 3;  or 
- in the absence of rules, referred to in para graph 3, causes or threatens to cause serious 
prejudice to the interest of that Contracting Party or material injury to its domestic industry,   
- it may take appropriate measures under the c onditions of and in accordance with he 
provisions laid in Article 31.   
Such measures may only be taken in conformity  with the procedures and under the conditions 
of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994  and any other relevant instruments negotiated 
under their auspices, which are applicable betw een the Contracting Parties concerned.   
Article 23 
Public Procurement
 
1. The Contracting Parties consider the liberalisation of their respective public procurement 
markets as an objective of this Agreement.  WT/REG197/1 
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 2. The Contracting Parties shall progressively adjust their respective rules, conditions and 
practices with respect to public procurements with th e view to grant suppliers of the other Contracting 
Party by the end of the transitional period under Article  1 of this Agreement at the latest, the access to 
contract award procedures on their respective publ ic procurement markets taking into account the 
provisions of the Agreement on Government Pr ocurement of the World Trade Organisation. 
3. The Joint Committee shall examine developments related to the achievement of the objectives 
of this Article so as to suggest practical ways of  implementing the provisions of paragraph 2 of this 
Article. 
4. The Contracting Parties shall endeavour to acced e to the relevant Agreements on Government 
Procurement negotiated under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation. 
Article 24 
Protection Of Intellectual Property  
1. The Contracting Parties shall grant to citizen s, enterprises and institutions of the other 
Contracting Party, as well as to their legal inher itors, the protection of intellectual property rights 
(industrial property as well as copyrights and related rights) subject to the national laws and under 
same conditions as confirmed for their citizens, enterprises and institutions. 
2. The Contracting Parties agree, in addition, to mutually respect intellectual property rights 
(industrial property, as well as copyrights and relate d rights) of their own citizens, enterprises and 
institutions in accordance with the standards on prot ection, which could not be less favourable than 
those granted by Bern, Rome and Paris Convention. 
Article 25 
Dumping  
1. If one of the Contracting Parties considers that dumping within the meaning of Article VI of 
the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade is taki ng place, it may take appropriate measures against 
that practice in accordance with Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 under 
the conditions and in accordance with the procedur e laid down in Article 30 of this Agreement. 
2. If one of the Contracting Parties ascertains the incidence of dumping or subventions in the 
imports from the other Contracting Party, the other Contracting Party has to be notified before the 
decision to initiate the procedure is taken. 
3. Prior to final introduction of antidumping measu res or compensation the Contracting Parties 
shall endevour to reach appropr iate and fair agreement. 
Article 26 
General Safeguards  
Where any product is being imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions 
as to cause or threaten to cause:   
(a) serious injury to domestic producers of lik e or directly competitive products in the 
territory of the importing Contracting Party, or WT/REG197/1 
Page 10  
 
 (b) serious disturbances in any related sector of the economy or difficulties which could 
bring about serious deterioration in the economic situation of a region, 
the Contracting Party concerned may take a ppropriate measures under the conditions and in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in  Article 30 of this Agreement.   
Article 27 
Structural Adjustment
 
1. Exceptional measures of limited duration which de rogate from the provisions of Article 3 to 
this Agreement may be taken by any of the Cont racting Parties in the form of increased customs 
duties.  Those measures may only concern infant i ndustries and some sectors undergoing the process 
of restructuring or facing serious problems, partic ularly where those problems cause important social 
problems. 
2. Customs duties on imports applicable in the Contracting Party concerned to products 
originating in the other Contracti ng Party introduced in accordance w ith paragraph 1 of this Article 
may not exceed 25% ad valorem and shall maintain an element of preference in custom duties for 
products originating in the other C ontracting Party.  The total value of imports of the products which 
are subject to these measures may not exceed 15% of  total imports of industrial products from the 
other Contracting Party as defined in Chapter I of this Agreement, during the last year for which 
statistics are available.   
3. Those temporary measures shall be applied for a period not exceeding four years, unless the 
Joint Committee approves longer duration.  It shall cease  to apply after the expiry of the transitional 
period at the latest.   
4. The temporary measures shall not be introduced fo r the products if three or more years passed 
from the entry into force or abolition of all duties,  quantitative restrictions or charges or measures 
having equal effect in relation to that product. 
5. The Contracting Party concerned shall inform  the Joint Committee on any temporary measure 
it intend to take and shall hold consultations with in Joint Committee on those measures and sectors to 
which they apply prior to their introduction.  When taking such measures, the Contracting Party 
concerned shall provide the Joint Committee with a schedule for a phasing out of these duties under this Article.  This schedule shall provide for a pha sing out of these duties starting at the latest two 
years after their introduction, at equal annual rat es.  The Joint Committee ma y decide on a different 
schedule.   
Article 28 
Re-Export And Serious Shortage
 
Where compliance with the provisions of Articles 6 and 8 leads to:   (a) re-export towards a third country against which the exporting Contracting Party 
maintains for the product concerned quantita tive export restrictions, export duties, 
measures or charges having equivalent effect, or 
(b) serious shortages, or threat thereof, of a product essential to the exporting Contracting 
Party;    WT/REG197/1 
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 and where the situations referred to above give rise or are likely to give rise to major difficulties for 
the exporting Contracting Party, that Contracti ng Party may take appropriate measures under the 
conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 30 to this Agreement. 
Article 29 
Fulfilment Of Obligations  
1. The Contracting Parties shall take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their 
obligations under this Agreement.  They shall see to it that the objectives set out in this Agreement are 
attained. 
2. If a Contracting Party considers that the othe r Contracting Party has failed to fulfil an 
obligation under this Agreement, the Contracting Party concerned may take appropriate measures 
under the conditions and in accordance with the procedur e laid down in Article 30 to this Agreement. 
Article 30 
Procedure For The Application Of Safeguard Measures  
1. Before initiating the procedure for the appli cation of safeguard measures set out in the 
following paragraphs of this Article , the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to solve any differences 
between them through direct consultations.   
2. In the event of a Contracting Party subjecting imports of products liable to give rise to the 
situation referred to in Article 27 to this Agreem ent to an administrative procedure having as its 
purpose the rapid provision of information on the tr end of trade flows, it shall inform the other 
Contracting Party. 
3. Without prejudice to paragraph 7 of this Ar ticle, a Contracting Party which considers 
resorting to safeguard measures shall promptly no tify the other Contracting Party thereof and supply 
all relevant information.  Consu ltations between the Contracting Parties shall take place without delay 
within the Joint Committee with a view of finding a solution acceptable to the Contracting Parties.   
4. (a) With regard to Articles 25,26 and 28 of this Agreement, the Joint Committee shall 
examine the case or situation and may take any decision needed to put an end to the 
difficulties notified by the Contracting Party c oncerned.  In the case of the absence of 
such decision within thirty days  of the matter being referred to the Joint Committee, 
the Contracting Party concerned may a dopt the measures necessary in order to 
remedy the situation. 
(b) As regards Article 30 of this Agreement, the Contracting party concerned may take 
appropriate measures after the consultations have been concluded or a period of three 
months has elapsed from the date of the first written notice to the other Contracting 
party.   
(c) With regard to Articles 21 and 22 of this Agreement, the Party concerned shall give 
the Joint Committee all the assistance requi red in order to examine the case and, 
where appropriate, eliminate the practice objected to.  If the Party in question fails to 
put an end to the practice objected to within the period fixed by the Joint Committee 
or if the Joint Committee fails to reach an  agreement within 60 days of the matter 
being referred to it, the Contracting Pa rty concerned may adopt the appropriate 
measures to deal with the difficulties resulting from the practice in question.   WT/REG197/1 
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 5. The safeguard measures taken sh all be immediately notified to the other Contracting Party.  
They shall be limited with regard to the extent a nd to their duration to what is strictly necessary in 
order to rectify the situation giving rise to their a pplication and shall not be in excess of the injury 
caused by the practice or the difficulty in ques tion.  The measures taken by a Contracting Party 
against an action or an omission of the other Cont racting Party may only affect the trade with that 
Contracting Party.   
6. The safeguard measures taken shall be the object  of periodic consultations within the Joint 
Committee with a view to their relaxation as soon as possible, or abolition when conditions no longer 
justify their maintenance. 
7. Where exceptional circumstances requiring immediate action make prior examination 
impossible, the Contracting Party concerned, may, in the cases of Articles 25,26 and 28 of this 
Agreement, apply the provisional measures strictly necessary to remedy the situation.  The measures 
taken shall be notified without delay to the othe r Contracting Party and consultations between the 
Contracting Parties shall take place as soon as possible.   
Article 31 
Balance Of Payment Difficulties
 
1. The Contracting Parties shall endeavour to avoid the imposition of restrictive measures 
including measures relating to imports restric tions for balance of payments purposes.   
2. Where one of the Contracting Parties is in ser ious balance of payments difficulties, or under 
imminent treat thereof, the Contracting Party co ncerned may, in accordance with the conditions 
established under the General Agreement on Tari ffs and Trade 1994 adopt restrictive measures, 
including measures related to imports, which shall be of a limited duration and may not go beyond 
what is necessary to remedy the balance of paymen ts situation.  The measures shall be progressively 
relaxed as balance of payments c onditions improve and they shall be eliminated when condition no 
longer justify their maintenance.  The Contracting Party concerned shall inform the other Contracting 
Party forthwith of their introduction and, whenever practicable, of the schedule of their phasing out.   
Article 32 
Evolutionary Clause  
1. Where a Contracting Party considers that it woul d be useful in the interests of the economies 
of the Contracting Parties to develop and deepen  the relations established by this Agreement by 
extending them to fields not covered thereby, it shall submit a reasoned request to the other 
Contracting Party.  The Contracting Parties may in struct the Joint Committee to examine such request 
and where appropriate, to make re commendations, particularly with a view to opening negotiations.   
2. Agreements resulting from the procedure referre d to in paragraph 1 will be subject to 
ratification or approval by the Contracting Parti es in accordance with their internal legislation. 
Article 33 
The Joint Committee  
1. A Joint Croatian-Macedonian Committee is here by established for the matters of economic 
co-operation and trade.    WT/REG197/1 
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 2. For the purpose of the proper implementation of this Agreement, the Contracting Parties shall 
exchange information and, at the request of any C ontracting Party, shall hold consultations within the 
Joint Committee.  The Joint Committ ee shall keep under review the possibility of further removal of 
the obstacles to trade between the parties.   
3. With the date of entry into force of th is Agreement, the Joint Croatian-Macedonian 
Committee under Article 8, paragraph 1 of the Agreement on Trade and Economic Co-operation 
between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of  Macedonia of July 6, 1994 cease to operate.  The 
issues within the competence of the said Committ ee shall be transferred to the Joint Committee 
referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.   
4. The Joint Committee referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may take decisions in cases 
provided for in this Agreement.  On other ma tters the Committee may make recommendations.   
Article 34 
Procedures Of The Joint Committee  
1. For the proper implementation of this Agreem ent the Joint Committee shall meet whenever 
necessary but at least once a year.  Each Part y may request that a meeting is held.   
2. The Joint Committee shall act  by common consensus.   
3. If the representative of any Contracting Party in the Joint Committee has accepted a decision 
subject to the fulfilment of internal legal requirement s, the decision shall enter into force, if no later 
date is contained therein, on the date of the receipt  of a written notification as to the fulfilment of such 
requirements. 
4. The Joint Committee may decide to set up su ch subcommittees and working groups as it 
considers necessary to assist it in accomplishing its tasks.   
Article 35 
Trade Relations Regulated By This And Other Agreements  
This Agreement shall not prevent the mainte nance or establishment of customs unions, free 
trade areas or arrangements of frontier trade to the extent it does do not negatively affect the trade 
regime of the Contracting Parties and in particular  the provisions concerning rules of origin provided 
for by this Agreement. 
Article 36 
Annexes, Protocols And Amendments  
1. Annexes and Protocols to this Agreement are an integral part of it.  The Joint Committee may 
decide to amend the Annexes and Protocols in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of 
Article 35 of this Agreement.   
2. Amendments to this Agreement other than  those decided upon in accordance with 
paragraph 3 of Article 34, and which are approved by the Joint Committee, shall be submitted to the 
other Contracting Party for acceptance and shall en ter into force if accepte d by both Contracting 
Parties.   WT/REG197/1 
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 Article 37 
Entry Into Force
 
This Agreement shall enter into force on the day of the receipt of the last written notification 
by which the Contracting Parties inform each othe r through diplomatic channels that all necessary 
requirements foreseen by their internal legislation for the entry into force of th is Agreement have been 
fulfilled.   
Article 38 
Provisional Application  
The Contracting Parties agree that before th is Agreement enters in to force according to 
Article 37, this Agreement shall star t to be applied temporary, on the thirtieth day after the date of the 
signing of this Agreement. 
Each Contracting Party may cease to temporary a pply this Agreement in the way to notify in 
writing through diplomatic channels the other Contr acting Party.  The temporary application of this 
Agreement ceases 6 months after the reception of such written notice. 
Article 39 
Validity And Denunciation  
This Agreement is concluded for an indefinite period of time. 
Each Contracting Party may denounce it through di plomatic channels by a written notification 
to the other Contracting Party.  In such case the Agreement shall terminate on the first day of the 
seventh month after the date on which the notifica tion was received by the other Contracting Party. 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned plenipot entiaries, being duly authorised thereto, 
have signed this Agreement. 
DONE at Skopje, this May 9, 1997 in two dupl icates in Croatian and Macedonian languages, 
both texts being equally authentic. 
 
FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA FOR THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 
 
 
__________