The Consequences of American Tax Anger

One of the co-chairmen of the Kosovo negotiating team in the dialogue with Serbia, Shpend Ahmeti, has stated to local media that of the meetings he has had with the US ambassador to Pristina, Philip Costet, Kosovo institutions officials have been recommended not to apply for American visas while in power it is a 100 per cent customs fee to goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The American demand for Kosovo institutions is clear and requires the suspension, even provisional, of this tax, in order to continue dialogue in Brussels between Kosovo and Serbia, which is aimed at reaching a historic agreement to normalise reports between the two countries.

It's a decision that I didn't call a formal decision, but it's clear that it's saying don't want to go to America, because we don't want to reject you, but we have it as a decision and a position that unless this tax is suspended, you can't come to America”, Ahmeti stated in an interview on TV Dukajni.

Ahmeti has also said, that now is the time to talk to American officials and make a sincere request for dialogue.

For me that sincere demand is that from America and Brussels we ask to return to the [negotiation] table unconditionally”, Ahmeti has said.

The United States Embassy in Pristina has indicated through a communique that refusing to suspend tariffs is a stance against US interests.

Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Costett has said that the temporary suspension of the tax is the only vital step to advance the dialogue process with Serbia. But he never mentioned any specific sanctions.

Politologist Ramush Tahiri, speaking of Radio Free Europe, has said Kosovo's reports with the United States should not be shaken. He has also voiced doubts in Ahmeti's statements, saying US policy is broadcast only through US government officials and no one else.

The American ambassador said we are friendly countries and there are no sanctions against each other, we just guide you to maintain friendship and work jointly about the goals of ideals that are the same”, Tahiri said.

In diplomatic relations the subject usually speaks for itself, Tahiri said.

In this case, Shpend Ahmeti's statement is not fair, nor accurate, nor is it responsible for the American ambassador, because US politics is transmitted by American officials. Any speculation in this regard would be dishonest and incorrect”, Tahiri has indicated.

While Shpend Ahmeti has predicted trouble if Kosovo officials targeted the US, Kosovo Foreign Minister Behxhet Pacolli has announced he will participate in the Global Coalition ministerial in Washington, D.C., and in morning prayers.

“At the invitation of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Behgjet Pacolli, will participate in the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition member states against DAESH, who will be held in the first week of February in Washington, D.C. During the visit and stay in the US, Kosovo's top diplomat, Pacolli, will also participate in the annual morning Prayer ceremony, which will be held on February 8th, 2019”, said at the announcement of Minister Pacolli's office.

A few days ago, Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj also said he would like to go to Washington to participate in morning prayers, but, as he said, currently “has no good climate” to realise this visit.

Currently, Haradinaj remains one of the only leaders to insist on keeping the customs tariff in force, despite US and Brussels' demands for suspension of the decision.

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has reiterated even Friday that all those who claim to be hurting relations with America are wrong. According to him, people who are lined up with America have created the free world, and even Kosovo has achieved what has targeted freedom. He has said the tax will not leave until Serbia recognises Kosovo as a state.

“Taxa has not been imposed against America, set against Russia. Russia and Serbia have worked intensively to attract the recognition of Kosovo. There are no conditions for dialogue, dialogue must continue unconditionally. I told the tax that today's circumstances are sometimes under way since previous periods, the tax will remain until recognition “, Haradinaj has declared.

He has reiterated the position that Serbia's recognition of Kosovo should not result in the damage to Kosovo's territorial integrity.

Kosovo's prime minister has also criticised political leaders, including those in the ruling coalition, which he leads, because, he has said, statements that the suspension of the fee should be made to preserve Kosovo's friendship with the United States.

The time has come for no more land, no palm of this country. Why give land when everyone is surrounded by our” lands, Haradinaj said.

In recent days, differences have emerged within the ruling coalition in Kosovo over the issue of suspension or not of customs duties on imports from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

These disagreements are estimated to be jeopardising the very existence of the ruling coalition, taking into account the fact that the Democratic Party of Kosovo and its leader, Kadri Veseli, have agreed to suspend the fee.

In general, leadership in Kosovo, at least through public statements, says Kosovo remains loyal to friendship and partnership with the US, but in the case of tariffs, has not yet managed to find a common language that would also mean harmonising Pristina's stance at Washington's request.