To Extend Nondiscriminatory Treatment (Normal Trade Relations Treatment) to the Products of Albania and Kyrgyzstan

This proclamation grants permanent normal trade relations (NTR) status to Albania and Kyrgyzstan, removing the application of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (Jackson-Vanik amendment) which had conditioned trade benefits on freedom of emigration. The trade benefits take effect immediately upon signature. Both countries had been found in compliance with emigration requirements and were advancing toward market economies; Kyrgyzstan was already a WTO member, while Albania was in the accession process.

Federal Register Open PDF 65 FR 41547

Impact dates

Jun 29, 2000
NTR treatment effective for Kyrgyzstan products

Key directives

Extend nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to products of Albania
Extend nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to products of Kyrgyzstan
Determine that Title IV of Trade Act of 1974 no longer applies to Albania
Determine that Title IV of Trade Act of 1974 no longer applies to Kyrgyzstan

Timeline

Immediate

Normal trade relations treatment takes effect for products of Albania and Kyrgyzstan upon signature (June 29, 2000)
Title IV of Trade Act of 1974 no longer applies to Albania or Kyrgyzstan

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

U.S. can avail itself of full WTO rights with Kyrgyzstan
U.S. positioned to exercise WTO rights with Albania upon its WTO accession
Bilateral investment treaties with both countries now complemented by permanent NTR status

Risks & tensions

Congressional findings in Public Law 106-200 were 'had due regard for' but not independently re-evaluated; proclamation implements legislative determination structure
Minimal tension given bipartisan support for Jackson-Vanik graduation in this period
Albania not yet WTO member at time of proclamation, creating slight asymmetry in immediate reciprocal benefits