Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told Tanjug news agency that he expects further progress in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, which is a precondition for the EU accession process, adding Vienna supports revoking of the taxes introduced by Pristina authorities.

Asked if he expects Belgrade and Pristina would be able to find out a solution by the end of the current EU Commission’s mandate, Kurz underlined that further progress in the dialogue is a crucial precondition for advancement towards the EU.

“We hope it would be possible to make further progress in the dialogue, and reduce tensions,” Kurz said.

He also noted that barriers such as taxes that Pristina’s authorities imposed on the goods from Serbia should be revoked, instead of placing new ones.

“Austria advocates for a regional cooperation in the Western Balkans, and for a regional agreement on trade cooperation, CEFTA. That is why we advocate for a swift abolishment of Kosovo taxes, same as the EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn is doing,” Kurz added.