Government: Tax on Serbia Not Removed

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci's statement for reviewing the removal of tariffs to Serbia to reach a final peace agreement has prompted numerous reactions. Kosovo Government officials have expressed surprise at the country's leader's response. They have even said that the president has not consulted Government at all for the same position.

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has warned the removal of a 100% tax on Serbian products and those from Bosnia and Herzegovina, but such an act is considered impossible officials of the Government of Kosovo. The prime minister's advisers in a response to the newspaper “Voice” have said they did not understand whether such a statement by the country's first one is being made for Serbia to enjoy.

Haki Shatri, the prime minister's adviser, in a proposal given to the newspaper “Voice” has indicated that the president is not allowed to make that decision while the same could only be lifted if the Government decides. “Assumption of the tax and removal of it have some legal procedures. Each institution has separate powers. The president has issued a political statement. I don't know whether it's for consumption or for Serbia or Kosovo to enjoy it. To get a tax off, someone to propose to the Government. The government examines it, in the way it has made the decision it can be revoted. Thus, the decision is made or removed from those who have made the decision. One institution can't make the decision, the other one takes it off”, has cleared up Shatri.

He has further demonstrated the government's insistence on this decision.
Shatri has added that the tax will not be lifted until conditions that Government thinks must be met to remove the tax. This means that Serbia behaves correctly, recognises us as a state. Then we can trade, free flow of goods, people based on international principles and reciprocity. Otherwise it won't be removed until Serbia violates our sovereignty every day. The tax is impossible and inappropriate. The president's statement is political. I don't know what he was called to, with the Government unattended”, has stressed Prime Minister Haradinaj's adviser.

Similar positions the prime minister displayed several days ago, including Trade and Industry Minister Andrew Shala. Shala publicly pledged that the tax would not be lifted, adding that the Government has had its reasons when setting the tax. But, Minister Shala has said the tax will be lifted only if the recognition of Kosovo's independence by Serbia is achieved.