Former Kosovo Constitutional Court judge, Enver Hasani told Belgrade-based daily Danas that the decision to impose 100 percent tariffs on goods from Serbia was intended to bring greater engagement by the international community in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

Hasani added this political decision was also intended for domestic consumption. “From the political side, this was an evidently populist process. The decision is intended to translate into votes at the elections next year”.

According to Hasani, the authorities in Pristina also wanted to radicalize their relationship with Belgrade and draw the European Union and United States into a more active role in the dialogue.

He also opined Kosovo Constitution is not being violated by the formation of Kosovo army because the laws that are to be adopted on December 14 “do not violate the Constitution, do not change the mandate or essence of the Kosovo Security Forces, not even the name but just the operative segment”.

“The announced forming of an army does not mean that Kosovo will get armed forces right away, but that the formal process is starting and will take 10 years with the approval of all communities needed in the end,” Hasani underlined.