Arifi: The tax has nothing to do with our reports to the U.S.

This Arfi write has come after the meeting Prime Minister Haradinaj and President Thaci had with American officials, for which he has published even a photograph from the meeting.

The people of Kosovo will always be listed in the ranks of free people led by the United States of America. This alignment has never been or will be due to any local leader or subject to the definition of friendship by local leaders. The trust of the people of Kosovo stems from confidence in US democracy and freedom, and the values for which this state stands and fights for centuries. The tariff to the Serbian state has no connection with our report against the US”, Arifi wrote on Facebook.

Today's meeting, Haradinaj and Thaci held with the principal director of European Affairs at the National Security Council of the United States, John Erath, as well as the director for the Balkans of the US National Security Council, Brad Berkeley.

For today's meeting, Periscop also spoke with Arifi over the phone, which has indicated that the Government's tax decision remains despite the American stance and pressure on tax removal.

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj's cabinet chief, Avni Arifi, has spoken of the current meeting they had with President Hashim Thaci and American officials, John Erath and Brad Brekley.

Arifi has said Periscope is not true of media reports that Prime Minister Haradinaj has emerged nervous from this meeting, due to American officials' request for the suspension of the 100 per cent tax decision on Serbian products.

It's slander. The prime minister has left the meeting when he was accomplished. The meeting ended in the most likely friendly way”, Arifi said.

Asked about the tax issue and Haradinaj's position at the meeting with Americans, Arifi responded briefly.

The Government's decision on the tax remains in force. He doesn't get rid of”, Arifi said of Periscope.

Today's meeting, Haradinaj and Thaci held with the principal director of European Affairs at the National Security Council of the United States, John Erath, as well as the director for the Balkans of the US National Security Council, Brad Berkeley.

In a Presidency report, it was said that with American officials it has been talked about bilateral relations between Kosovo and the United States of America, about the political situation in Kosovo and the region, as well as dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

It even became known there that Americans have requested tax suspension, which is supported by President Thaci.

“Erath and Berkeley “have reiterated the US administration's clear position that the tax should be suspended in order to continue dialogue and efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. Thaci has assured senior American officials that, under no conditions and under any circumstances, the Republic of Kosovo will not jeopardise interstate relations and friendship with the US. State institutions must take concrete action faster in line with US friendly advice. These decisions should be in the function of preserving and strengthening strategic co-operation with the US and with our state dedication for dialogue and peaceful agreement”, President Thaci was quoted as saying at the meeting.

In a government report, however, Haradinaj said that the Republic of Kosovo is irrevocably committed to strengthening its democracy and institutions.

Kosovo is ready for legally binding agreements resulting in mutual recognition at the existing borders and Kosovo on February 17th 2008. Also, it is ready for obtaining the rights and obligations of NATO membership, the United Nations, the EU and other international organisations and for good neighbourly relations”, Prime Minister Haradinaj said.

He added that Kosovo is committed to free trade within the Western Balkans region, and the legally binding comprehensive agreement would include regulation of the free trade chapter between Kosovo and Serbia.

Also, Prime Minister Haradinaj at the meeting with senior representatives of the US National Security Council said Kosovo relies on the values of a multiethnic society based on human rights for all its citizens and communities, praising that Kosovo remains loyal to permanent friendship and co-ordination of policies with the US.

Periscop reported earlier on who are the two American officials who held meetings with the president and prime minister today.

John Erath is an American foreign official who started his career in 1990 serving in the Balkans. In addition to a tour in Belgrade, he has worked at the OSCE office in Kosovo and at the Office of the High Representative in Sarajevo. In the Balkans, he served in NATO and the Office of the Defence Secretariat. Erith also has extensive experience in controlling and nonproliferation weapons, while working on a delegation of the Conventional Forces Treaty in Europe (CFE) and led the US Delegation to the Water Agreement Task Force.
He has also held diplomatic positions in India and Brazil. Recently, he has led the Political-military Affairs Office at the US Embassy in Ankara.
Erith is a graduate of Georgetown University and has a Master's degree in National Security Strategy from the National College of War in Washington. He authored several articles on military history and two dramas, writes G CSP, this is Periscope.

Save Brad Berkeley He's the leader of European Affairs at the White House National Security Council. It supervises and co-ordinates US Government Foreign Policy for more than a dozen countries in Central, Eastern and Western Europe. Berkeley also served as CIA Senior Officer, with whom he received two medals for his work from this agency.

He also worked for intelligence services at the US National Security Council. Regarding his work in intelligence services, in 2009 he received a prize for the best article./ P ERISCOPIA