Hahn offers economic agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, but no recognition of this tax removal

Commissioner for Enlargement to the European Union Johannes Hahn last night indicated that he has offered Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq a solution for “the” problem with the tax on Serbian products, as well as the continuation of the dialogue that has remained hostage.

Hahni's solution appears to be none of the options the Kosovo government has requested. Neither recognition from Serbia nor visa liberalisation, but a mutual economic agreement between the two states, Koha Ditore reports today.

I have informed the two presidents in detail of the proposal, and within days I expect positive answers”, Hahn said. He has added that he understands Kosovo's obstacles in relation to Serbia, saying he intends to address them as a precondition to pave the way for Brussels dialogue, which Serbia has conditioned on tax removal

But in a response to Periscope last night, Avni Arifi, chief of the cabinet of Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, said the president in Kosovo asked nothing about the tax, but only the government chief who has imposed it.

There's no change in government attitudes. In Kosovo, the president does not decide, but Government” has said Arifi for my Periscope asked about the disregard Hahn has done to the Government, leaving the fate of the tax in the hands of the president.

The government has declared it will not lift the tax until Serbia's recognition.

Commissioner Hahn, in an interview for N1 television, has said that at the Davos Economic Forum, he has talked to the presidents Thaci and Vuciq, and that he has detailed his proposal.

I proposed that all relevant trade issues involving Serbia and Kosovo be co-ordinated. I am willing to conduct this conversation and that would be the basis for assuming that it is possible to continue the dialogue mediated by High Representative Federica Moghrini “, Hahn said.
Commissioner Hahn in this interview also said Thaci and Vuciq understood his proposal, and the days ahead await their positive response. /Periscopi