European Union is trying to assist in overcoming a trade dispute between Belgrade and Pristina, the spokesperson for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ray stated.
She said that both, Kosovo and Serbia agreed to normalize relations through the dialogue facilitated by the EU, and added that EU expects mutually accepted solution to be reached when it comes to trade, that is, transport of commodities. “We are in permanent contact with both sides in our efforts to assist in reaching such agreement,” said Ray to Radio Free Europe.
Trucks loaded with hazardous materials, such as oil and gas are waiting for days now at the crossing Merdare between Serbia proper and Kosovo, because Pristina authorities do not allow them to cross to Kosovo. Kosovo authorities says that measures are reciprocal , whereas Serbian Government communicated that Pristina authorities have violated CEFTA agreement and that Belgrade is in permanent contact with the Brussels in relation to this problem.
The Director of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Marko Djuric, said on Wednesday that there is still small room for resolving the dispute and that Serbia mulls reciprocal measures, because it won’t quietly watch how its interests are trampled. He also called the EU to start dealing urgently with this issue. He also asked the EU representatives for how long they will tolerate unilateral blockade that is harming citizens, economy and normalization of relations. Djuric further said that what Pristina is trying to achieve has nothing to do with economics and other goals, instead it has exclusively political agenda and affirmation of its status.
