Required by Government to review international tax calls

While in the Government of Kosovo renewed the pledge that the customs tax on products of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will remain in force until the achievement of the goal, political analysts say the Government and responsible institutions should sit down with international representatives to talk about continuing calls for abolishing the decision.

Analysts consider that beyond euphoria, the real effects of the tax should also be seen, as she, according to them, has in the first place blocked the dialogue process, but in some form has reduced Kosovo's reports to the international factor.

Political development acquaintance Artan Muhhaxhiri, speaking of Radio Free Europe, says Kosovo should act cautiously and cautiously regarding customs tax for products coming from Serbia, but also preserves reports with the states that Kosovo sees as an ally.

If Kosovo insists on the 100 per cent tax, it will be identified as the blocker of the entire dialogue process and will have major consequences. So, there will be a isolation of the state of Kosovo, there will be a major deterioration of the reports with our international allies, with the US in particular, and each and every delayed process of integration in Europe” will be hampered, Muhramiri said.

According to him, the pressure will come to Kosovo, as if modified, abolished or continued with customs tax measures, because pressures on the government can come either from political subjects in Kosovo or from the international factor, depending on what the decision would be.

“Blocking the dialogue that has resulted from the [tax] cannot continue because in this final phase of dialogue, even superpowers like America and Russia are involved, therefore it will not be allowed any acts of talks, whether Kosovo or Serbia block such a process”, Mujajiri said.

The final goal of the tax, according to Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, is and remains for Serbia to recognise Kosovo's independence.

He has acknowledged that along with the European Union, the United States of America has renewed its stance on suspending the tax.

But, as Haradinaj has said, the tax problem is not connected with the international factor, but with Serbia's positions concerning the state of Kosovo.

Life Krasniqi from the Democratic Institute of Kosovo, connoisseur of the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia, considers that Kosovo's commitment to the negotiations process with Serbia should continue to the end and there should be no obstacles on the part of Kosovo, despite Serb obstacles.

She says Kosovo's dialogue process should be seen in the interest of strengthening the state of Kosovo, both on the domestic and international plains.

Kosovo's “Pala has to see and discuss in this case even with the United States of America on the modalities it would be willing to review this tax so that it can continue ahead, even in the process of dialogue, but at every stage in preserving the interest of the Kosovo state “, Krasniqi said.

First of all, she says that the United States' request for the abolition of the tax would have to be considered in Pristina.

“The consequences could be if we could damage this strategic alliance [with the US], but I believe the Kosovo side will be constructive to continue maintaining, holding alliance and taking steps that are in the interests of the country”, Krasniqi said.

Even European Union officials have stressed that dialogue requires an added dynamic in the first half of this year, but for its development a better climate is needed, and for that reason Kosovo should withdraw the tax decision.

The Kosovo government had imposed a 100 per cent customs tax on products imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 21st, 2018.

This tax followed Serbia's diplomatic campaign against Kosovo recognitions, against Kosovo's membership in INTERPOL, as well as the campaign to attract Kosovo recognitions, from some countries that had already recognised it as a state. (REL)