Hahn: Kosovo lifts tax on Serbian goods

EU Commissioner for European Policy of Business and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn has called for the continuation of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, until he has once again called on official Pristina to lift taxes on Serbian goods.

“As far as Kosovo-Serbia dialogue is concerned, these two countries must continue. Kosovo must lift tariffs for Serbia and Bosnia. The tariffs for Serbia and Bosnia must be removed. Kosovo should be based on the SAA agreement”, Hahn said.

He made these comments on the occasion of presenting the progress report on European Commission enlargement to the European Parliament.

This time again, it has recommended the opening of membership negotiations for northern Macedonia and Albania.

Be aware of China's growing businesses in the Balkans, which even if they offer ease it is important to ensure that any foreign activity in the region meets EU standards and values. As for specific countries, countries have responded to the strategy for the Balkans. I am pleased how Albania and Northern Macedonia have reacted. I am pleased to see how Albania has pursued justice reform, especially in the judicial system, the unprecedented re-evaluation of prosecutors and judges, and about how Northern Macedonia resolved the name issue. The Commission recommends that the Council open negotiations now with Albania and Northern Macedonia”, he said.

After again receiving the recommendation for opening negotiations by the European Commission, it is the member states that will decide on this proposal. And the final decision belongs to the EU countries' Council of Foreign Ministers, which will gather in June.

The Netherlands and Germany will receive the Parliament's approval to decide for this decision, while France and Belgium are sceptical of continuing with EU enlargement at this time.

Regarding Serbia and Montenegro, Hahn said these two countries should step up their efforts in terms of opening EU membership negotiations. /Tch/