EU letter Haradinaj '%s' offers compromise on 100% tax

Offer among other things that label “U n NMIC” in CEFTA to be replaced by “Kosovo*”. But they demand that, as a sign of goodwill, before Monday 17 December, when the meeting of the SAA Council takes place in Brussels, Kosovo temporarily suspends implementation of the goods tax decision by Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Three members of the European Commission have written the letter to Kosovo Prime Minister even addressing some of the concerns Haradinaj has expressed in the letter he sent earlier when he had clarified the reasons why Kosovo had imposed these measures.

“We have also received the list of cases of commercial practice on the part of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina that, in Kosovo's view, represent barriers to correct implementation of CEFTA arrangements and create significant problems on the ground for economic actions and for citizens”, it says on paper.

Recalling how the European Union's experience through the creation of a unique market among 28 member states testifies to how lifting tariffs and non-tariff barriers results in increased competition and consumer bid, letter signatories say the Kosovo Government's decision to raise tariffs has been a step in the wrong direction, which goes against progress achieved in regional economic integration.

“Set new tariffs in the medium term will harm the economic interests of Kosovo and its people, reducing trade exchange and damaging Kosovo's authenticity as a country for investment and business. In light of this, we want to re-focus that the EU's unique position is that this decision should withdraw to the earliest possible” case, this letter says.

At the same time, the European Commission takes very seriously the various concerns you have raised in your letter. In the spirit of free trade zone, all actors must respect the rules they have jointly adopted. In order to address these concerns, as Commissioner Hahn has proposed during his visit on December 3rd, the European Commission is willing to establish a special format for you and Serbia to urgently find concrete and practical solutions for various trade issues you have mentioned”, the letter of these three European Commission members to Haradinaj says.

Following the letter, it is said that “could, as well, include the long-standing issue of UNMIK replacing with Kosovo* and the broader issue of modernisation and revising CEFTA”, offer signatories of this letter.

They demand that the Government of Kosovo, as a sign of goodwill before the SAA Council meeting -- before Monday on December 17th -- temporarily suspend the implementation of the tariff decision, as long as efforts for the permanent solution of the problem last.

The meeting between Kosovo and the EU under the Stabilisation and Association Council is held in Brussels tomorrow. A day later, the same meeting is held with Serbia. On Wednesday in Brussels, Federica Moghrini gathers leaders of the countries of the Western Balkans region.