Hoxhaj: Tax on Serbia not to be lifted

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj, in an interview given to Bosnian media Avangarda, has spoken about the tax Kosovo has imposed on products coming from Serbia and Bosnia, as well as the motives for the move.

Hoxhaj said that the motives for taxing have been more foreign rather than economic policy.

“When you are a new and small state, and when a neighbour like Serbia constantly strikes Kosovo's foreign sovereignty with campaigns against recognition and blockades towards Kosovo for membership in international organisations, we should use what we have at our disposal, exercise domestic sovereignty by setting economic measures and conveying a clear message in relation to Serbia”, Hoxhaj has said.

Hoxhaj said the tax will remain in force until the reasons that have forced Kosovo to make such decisions cease.

“During 2017 and 2018 Serbia has exercised diplomatic aggression against Kosovo, making efforts to block Kosovo recognitions or even persuade countries that have already recognised Kosovo to withdraw the decision, as has Kosovo's membership in INTERPOL blocked. Therefore, our reaction has been necessary, and the decision we have made will remain in force until the reasons that have led to that decision” ceases, Hoxhaj has declared.

Hoxhaj stressed that the EU and its member states have not exerted their influence in the report with Serbia to prevent such a campaign, which they are obliged to do by the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, under which the EU should help Kosovo become part of international democratic institutions. He said this is very disturbing for Kosovo.

The European Union must deal more balancedly with Balkan countries”, he said.