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Is the import tariff impeding the idea for border changes? (Radio Free Europe)

By   /  02/04/2019  /  Comments Off on Is the import tariff impeding the idea for border changes? (Radio Free Europe)

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Political commentators in Pristina told the news agency on Monday that dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia was stopped as a result of the Kosovo Government’s decision to introduce a 100-percent import tariff on Serbian goods. The decision on the tariff is also believed to have impeded the idea for a possible border correction between Kosovo and Serbia. Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who is strongly against the idea of border changes, has said on several occasions that the tariff on Serbian products was introduced among other things also to prevent the border changes idea. “The decision to block Serbian goods, namely the 100-percent tariff, is also an act that prevents the formalization of [Kosovo’s] partition. Kosovo does not give away parts of its territory in exchange for recognition and if this is the price, Kosovo does not need recognition from Serbia,” Haradinaj had said. Imer Mushkolaj, political analyst, told Radio Free Europe that the government in Pristina had justified its decision on the import tariff a response to Serbia’s aggressive policy and diplomacy vis-à-vis Kosovo. “After Serbia, that its President Vucic, conditioned the resumption of dialogue with the lifting of the tariff, it was seen that the tariff stands in the way of dialogue. This it seems suited Prime Minister Haradinaj, who through the tariff furthered his opposition to the border changes initiative,” he said. Mushkolaj said the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and President Hashim Thaci will continue to try to convince Haradinaj to lift the tariff. “They’re still trying to convince Haradinaj to remove the tariff and for dialogue to resume. Now we are in a somewhat interesting situation where Haradinaj is expecting written international guarantees, primarily from the United States of America, that Kosovo’s territorial integrity will not be part of any talks. On the other hand, President Thaci is rushing to further his idea for ‘border correction’, although in the last couple of months he has not promoted it that much”. Artan Murati, an analyst with the Kosovo Democratic Institute, said in practice, Prime Minister Haradinaj is right, however, it remains questionable if the tariff on Serbian goods is the best way to prevent the border changes idea. “The tariff can be seen as a provisional measure that has stopped the land swap idea, however, it cannot be seen as a final measure because this requires a state action,” he argued. Murati also said that Haradinaj’s position on the tariff is affecting Kosovo’s relations with international partners. “We know how our relations are with the U.S., since the introduction of the tariff. So I believe Haradinaj will try to keep the tariff in force as long as he can and as long as he does not threaten his position as Prime Minister of Kosovo,” he added.

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