• Government sets 100% tax for international brands coming from Serbia (media)
• EU Office calls on Kosovo to reconsider expansion of tariffs (media)
• Vucic: Regardless of measures by Pristina we will not kneel down (Express)
• Sarovic: We lost €4 million a month since tariff introduction (Telegrafi)

Government sets 100% tax for international brands coming from Serbia (media)

All media report that the Kosovo government decided on Friday that famous international brands that manufacture in Serbia and export to Kosovo will from now on be also subject to the 100-percent tariff.

EU Office calls on Kosovo to reconsider expansion of tariffs (media)

Several news websites report that heads of EU Missions are urging the Kosovo Government to reconsider its decision on the expansion of tariffs. Following is the full statement: “We note with concern Kosovo’s decision to expand the 100 per cent import tariffs also to products of internationally recognised brands of other countries, including EU countries, that are produced in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We want to reiterate the EU’s message that the imposition of tariffs, does not contribute towards good neighborly relations and it contradicts Kosovo’s past commitments towards regional integration and the commitments subscribed to by Kosovo within the SAA. We therefore urge the Kosovo government to reconsider its decision and to revoke the tariffs. This would be the right decision to take in advancing Kosovo’s and its people European aspiration for the present and the future. We recall the EU message for regional cooperation and ask all parties to refrain from actions that undermine this message”.

Vucic: Regardless of measures by Pristina we will not kneel down (Express)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today that Serbia will continue to move forward and develop “despite attacks and pressure” in reference to the Kosovo government’s decision to introduce a 100-percent tax on goods coming from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Vucic recently called on world countries to put pressure on Kosovo to rescind the tax. The Kosovo government meanwhile on Friday decided that the 100-percent tax will now include an additional list of international products that enter Kosovo through Serbia. Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said the decision on the tax will remain in force until Serbia recognizes Kosovo’s independence.

Sarovic: We lost €4 million a month since tariff introduction (Telegrafi)

Mirko Sarovic, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina said on Friday that his country has lost €4 million since the Kosovo government decided to introduce a 100-percent tariff on products from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarovic told Klix.ba: “the tariff cannot be tolerated, and it is in full opposition to the basic trade principles of CEFTA. The common goal of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is for these measures to be rescinded and to resume talks”.