Том 2 - Тенденции и предизвикателства в развитието на ...

with the EU legal system (acquis communautaire). Strict harmonizationin one or a few members to the high standards that are in effect in the EUinfluences other members to a great extent, encouraging them toharmonize their legislature in a short period of time; as a consequence,they cannot export to countries that have already harmonized theirlegislation. Such processes require both time and resources.CEFTA-2006 also complies with the WTO’s TBT Agreement andobliges its member states to harmonize their national technical standardswith those of the WTO and the EU by the 31st of December 2010. Someresults on reducing or eliminating such barriers have been achieved.It is known that opening markets more to trade, strong institutionsand membership in free trade agreements, combined with the reform ofregulations dealing with investments (i.e. creation of favourableenvironment for investments), directly leads to more direct foreigninvestments. Therefore, the Agreement strengthens such investments,opening the economy to a market of around 25 million consumers. Theprocess of joining the EU, which goes beyond pure trade integration,makes the region itself more attractive. Both processes enable somebranches to reach an efficient volume of production and commercialcost-benefits. Alongside the increase of the market, diagonal cumulationof goods’ origin within the region, the EU and Turkey, is an additionalstimulus. In the foreseeable future, possibilities for broader connection ofeconomies and exports will also include the EFTA and Mediterraneancountries.The new conditions for equal treatment in public procurements ofdomestic and other suppliers from the CEFTA 2006 members came intoforce on May 1, 2010 287 . It was noticed (with the help of OECD and theSIGMA program) that all new laws in CEFTA 2006 parties have beenharmonized with the EU regulations, including those dealing with theequal treatment of all suppliers. It will be important to secure theiradequate implementation, increase transparency and develop appropriatemechanisms for scrutiny. Information on public procurements in theregion is available through the CEFTA 2006 trade portal.287 http://www.cefta2006.com/legal-texts361