Analysts for Periscope: Negative news from Brussels, the consequence of politicians dealing with themselves

The Council of Ministers of the European Union, in their draft report, has sharply criticised the Haradinaj Government on several points, writes Periscopi.

The Council of Ministers' critics are tough on the tax on products originating from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, on employing people with criminal precedents (and war crimes), not establishing association, opening the Mitrovica Bridge, and the way the Special Court is being treated. As for visas, the Council of Ministers gives negative signals. He says he's considering this...

Artan Murati from KDI for Periscope has said politicians in Kosovo do not take the EU agenda seriously and that statements are only for internal consumption.

The promises for visa liberalisation have never been addressed by Brussels, but by local politics. This stand by the Council testifies that politicians in Kosovo do not take the EU and the European agenda seriously, and their statements are motivated for internal use”, he has said.

He has also said that the Council of Ministers' positions are known for all processes.

The Council's “stances, representing member states, are known for both taxes and visas, as well as for Kosovo's journey towards the EU. Simply, no necessary progress has been made, requested by the EU, to further the procedure”, Murati said.

While, university professor, Nundman Pacarizi says tax should not be linked to visa decision and that Kosovo should not accept such a condition

The decision for the visas is not mentioned in the context of the removal or not of the tax. So the report doesn't link these two issues, but there's criticism in the report for other actions. The tax must not be linked to the decision on liberalisation, Kosovo must not accept such a condition”, he told Periscope.

According to Pacarizi, the tax has been a wrong and foolish move that has cost Kosovo citizens, bearing the tax consequences through the increase in the price of daily consumer products.

He has also commented on a provision of this draft report that is criticised for not implementing Association, saying no agreement should be implemented unless any Brussels agreement is implemented.

“Critics are pretty well based especially on law enforcement, employment and so on. As far as association is concerned, Kosovo has a Constitutional Court decision that must be carried out correctly. On the other hand, there is no need to implement the agreement on association until no other agreement on that Brussels package has been implemented”, Pacarizi said of Periscopi.