Haradinaj's comment about yesterday's meeting in Brussels: A Step Forward

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has estimated that yesterday's meeting in Brussels between the Kosovo state delegation with senior EU representative Federika Moghrini is a step forward.

He made these comments after meeting with Kosovo Customs Director Bahri Berisha, who has talked to him about achievements during the previous year, customs work in the area of revenues and fighting smuggling.

Despite the chief of European diplomacy, Federica Mogehrini, asked Kosovo's negotiating team to lift the tax on Serbian goods yesterday, the head of the country's government has called the meeting in Brussels positive.

We've got some information, we think there's been a expected and first-to-be meeting. The positions of the state delegation and EU institutions have also been presented. We think it's a step forward, not to say very positive or good, but a step forward, yes, ”, Haradinaj said.

Haradinaj said Customs and Kosovo have collected over 65 per cent of the total budget, while demanding increased parameters to enter and fight informality.

And also, at the same time, I'm here to ask you to increase the parameters, because we're entering the third decade. There are 20 years of our existence as Kosovo in the customs system. By that means more parameters and all indicators are raised, because it is in the interest of all of us”, he said.

Customs Director Bahri Berisha stressed that he has announced the prime minister's achievements during the preliminary year, customs in the field of revenues, the fight against informal economy and combating smuggling.

I had the pleasure of informing the prime minister and minister of the work we did in 2018, the achievements we had in the field of incomes, fighting the informal economy, crime, smuggling, but also many other processes such as reforms that are developing customs in the field of commercial conveniences. We also announced the work, the customs role it has for the state of Kosovo in defence of Kosovo society and citizens”, Berisha said.

While Finance Minister Bedri Hamza has said customs is one of the most important institutions for the inflow of revenues.

He has guaranteed the principal maximum support for working conditions and fighting informality.

Here today, we guaranteed the director who has the full support of the Ministry of Finance, however, of the prime minister. We will also proceed with laws in order to create a better business environment especially for productive businesses and service businesses in order to export. Of course, we will also support working conditions and fighting informality”, Hamza said.

By contrast, Kosovo Customs has been running more than 13 billion euros since its establishment.