After US threat, analysts demand tax suspended

The American Embassy in Kosovo has issued a communique for the media, calling for the immediate suspension of the tax on products from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Call the Heedars from Kosovo and others from the region to show commitment to normalisation; peace and regional stability; and to moving along the path towards European integration. We reiterate our view that an immediate suspension of the fee on imports from Serbia and Bosnia is a necessary measure to restore the moment to the Dialogue process”, said the US Embassy's announcement in Kosovo.

After that call from the US Embassy, analysts are praising that the Government of Kosovo must reflect.

Political analyst Imer Mosskolaj has told Telegrafi that the government must decide on the suspension of the tax, but on certain conditions.

According to him, then it would have to be expected what action Serbia will take, and ensure a deal for recognition by the Serbian state.

The dialogue has conditioned Belgrade, not Pristina. The tax is set for other reasons. But if tax is required because reports with America are jeopardised, institutions should suspend it, but on a specific deadline, and with clear expectations of what Serbia will do. It could be a 90-day suspension and a list of things Serbia should do. And everything ends with guarantees for recognition or reciprocity”, Mushkolaj said.

According to him, America is not interested in tax withdrawal, and damage to Kosovo.

You're gonna want to reflect on what has been achieved so far. So it's suspended at a certain time, and waiting for what to do. Even America is not interested in tax removal and harming Kosovo”, Mushkolaj said.

Reflection by Kosovo institutions is waiting for another political analyst, Ramush Tahiri.

Tahiri has said that Kosovo institutions must listen to America in order to show principle.

Kosovo's <x0) institutions need to listen to America, not because they're servile, but because they're principal. As we conflict with America and its policies, we are a bad state”, Tahiri said.

But according to Tahiri, seeing statements by Haradinaj and Enver Hoxhaj that there may be other measures, the government may not give up taxes.

What I think will be these days, Kosovo will not withdraw the tax because Enver Hoxhaj is saying we have other creative ideas against Serbia. We will have sanctions, because America is a major democracy, and the EU never happened to attract my proposals”, Ramush Tahiri said.

Unlike at today's media conference, Ramush Haradinaj voiced conviction that the tax is not lifted until there are guarantees for recognition.