EU initials Syria trade deal
The trade in pharmaceuticals between the European Union (EU) and Syria will be boosted by a bilateral association agreement, which has been formally approved by the EU Council of Ministers.
The trade in pharmaceuticals between the European Union (EU) and Syria will be boosted by a bilateral association agreement, which has been formally approved by the EU Council of Ministers.
The agreement was first initialled in 2004 but diplomatic complications have delayed its formal signature until now.
Upon ratification, the deal will erase duties on all kinds of pharmaceuticals. Syria currently charges 1-5% duties on medicine imports made in the EU, although Syrian pharmaceutical products already generally enter the EU duty free.
The EU Council of Ministers said the agreement would "establish conditions for the progressive liberalisation of trade in goods, services and capital".