The relations have never been good – now Kosovo with massive customs duties on Serbian and Bosnian imports that has stoked tensions with the neighbors. The EU fears an escalation of the dispute.
The border to Serbia
The Kosovar government has decided a one-hundred-percent surcharge on imports from the neighbouring countries of Serbia and Bosnia-Herzigowina. Government chief Ramush Haradinaj spoke of a response to the “aggressiveness” of Belgrade. Belgrade called for a withdrawal of the customs decision. The new duties will affect Goods from Bosnia-Herzegovina – international brands, which are produced in the neighboring countries are exempt from customs duties.
EU calls for the withdrawal of the decision
The action followed a day after the failed efforts of Kosovo to a recording in the member States of the international police Agency Interpol. In the case of the vote in Pristina had not received the necessary votes. The Kosovar government accused then Belgrade to have the application deliberately torpedoed. Deputy head of the government, Enver Hoxhaj spoke of an “aggressive campaign against Kosovo”.
The first two weeks of Pristina had concluded a customs surcharge of ten percent on Serbian goods, criticism of the European Union. The EU fears an escalation of the dispute.
The Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that the dialogue with Kosovo will resume only when the duties would be returned. Pristina, may “please take back the decision, so that we can sit down together and talk,” said Vucic. Belgrade will not take any counter-measures. Serbia is the largest regional trade partner of Kosovo, with exports of more than EUR 400 million per year – a trade dispute with Serbia is also expected to meet with the Kosovars difficult.
The European Union also criticized the duties the high level of imports. The EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini condemned the customs decision as a “clear violation” against the regional free trade agreements. “The Kosovar government must withdraw these decisions immediately.”
Kosovo had declared in 2008 unilaterally its independence from Serbia. More than 110 States have recognised the independence now. Serbia considers Kosovo still as a province.
nob/rb (dpa, afp)