Prime Minister Ana Brnabic has sent a formal request to the CEFTA Secretariat for direct consultations within the joint committee. Brnabic informed the citizens of Serbia on Tuesday evening that she did this on behalf of the government, and in accordance with the CEFTA (regional free trade agreement), the Serbian Government announced.
Serbian Prosecution for Organized Crime acted on all Pristina’s requests and interrogated all persons in relation to the murder of Oliver Ivanovic, Justice Minister Nela Kuburovic told Serbian media.
She said Milan Radoicic was also interrogated yesterday in order to cast away any doubt that he has taken part in the murder of Oliver Ivanovic.
Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Chepurin's message to Pristina authorities on Friday was "not to overestimate their powers."
The diplomat took to Twitter to comment on Pristina's decision to raise taxes on goods from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) by 100 percent, to write:
"The story about Pristina's 'tax-sanctions 'on goods from Serbia and BiH confirm the words of Napoleon, which he repeated as he was retreating from Russia in 1812: 'It's just one step between the sublime and the ridiculous'. The point of the saying is: one should not overestimate one's powers."
Decision of Pristina authorities to increase taxes by 100 percent for the goods from central Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, entered into force yesterday, immediately after its adoption, Serbian media report.
Representatives of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija will discuss this with the President of Serbia during the meeting that was scheduled today. Chairperson of Srpska Lista, Goran Rakic said he will familiarize President Vucic with the situation on the ground, adding that Serbian representatives will be with their people.
USA Embassy in Belgrade said it is concerned over Pristina’s measure to increase taxes on goods from central Serbia by 100 percent, Tanjug news agency reported.
The Embassy added such an act endangers perspective for regional stability and prosperity.
“We are concerned by Pristina’s announcements. Accordingly, the tariffs violate CEFTA obligations and endanger perspectives for long-term regional stability and prosperity,” the Embassy told Tanjug news agency.
Serbian Minister of Trade and Infrastructure, Rasim Ljajic told Prva TV, Serbia came out as a winner “of legitimate political struggle” in Interpol.
He added, Belgrade would continue to request Pristina to abolish additional taxes imposed to the goods from central Serbia.
It is assumed that French President Emmanuel Macron could support the idea of "border correction" which should resolve the Belgrade-Pristina dispute.
This is reported on Monday by the French radio RFI, which states that the idea is to "encourage Belgrade to recognize the independence of Kosovo."
Serbian Prime Minster Ana Brnabic said in Vienna that Pristina with additional taxes on goods from Serbia, discriminates everything that is Serbian, KIM Radio reports today.
Speaking at a press conference, following the working breakfast of the EU chair, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurtz with prime ministers from the Western Balkans, Brnabic noted that Serbia is focused on the future, but unfortunately the region is going backwards.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met on Friday in Belgrade with US Ambassador Kyle Scott.
They discussed bilateral relations, economic cooperation and the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Tanjug said, citing a press release from the president's office.
Vucic informed Scott that, by introducing taxes on goods from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Pristina had violated the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).
Brussels has sent Vucic via diplomatic channels "an indecent proposal," i.e., blackmail: continue the dialogue with Pristina in exchange for new chapters, however Belgrade will not accept it, Belgrade-based media report.
As the Belgrade media further reported, Brussels diplomatic channels put pressure on Belgrade in order to make it play "by the rules dictated by Pristina". Serbia and President Vucic are asked to return to the dialogue, despite Pristina's failure to fulfill any of its obligations under the Brussels agreement.