CEEP

CEEP, or the Central European Economic Partnership, is a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and its Eastern European neighbors. The agreement was signed in 2014 and entered into force in 2016. The CEEP aims to promote economic integration and cooperation between the EU and its Eastern partners, which include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine. The agreement covers a wide range of sectors, including trade in goods, services, and investment, as well as rules of origin, customs procedures, and dispute settlement. The CEEP also includes provisions for the gradual liberalization of trade in goods, with a focus on reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers. The agreement has been praised for its potential to boost economic growth and create jobs in the region, as well as for its commitment to good governance and human rights. However, it has also faced criticism for its lack of ambition in certain areas, such as labor standards and environmental protection. The CEEP is an important step towards deeper economic integration in the region, and its success will depend on the commitment of all parties to its provisions.