BP: Kosovo price half below in region

The EU chief in Kosovo, Natalia Apostolova, has stressed the need for competition in each market and the damage being done to citizens from monopoly.

“Competition is one of the basic elements of the free market and it is an area where Kosovo needs to improve itself, is the inevitable topic because it falls well. Car counterparts are issues the EU office has raised as issues for years now. We discussed it with the ministry, the prime minister. Now citizens are paying the highest prices given separately in Pristina and which are not challenged by other companies, and the price is the highest in the region”, Apostolova has said.

In contrast, however, counterparts and institutional representatives feel.

Kumbim Shala, a counterpart's field specialist, considers that the price of counterparting, or of controlling import vehicle compliance, is the total price ʹ therefore, it is the price that includes all activities (an inspection, collection of notes, registration, certificate is issued, its sealing, etc.), which is different compared to countries in the region. Because countries in the region have a separate price for activities that totally complete the automotive adaptability control service (known as counterpart).

In this regard, there are countries that even automotive documentations, which are understood to be in foreign languages, are required to be translated into their native languages, things that, besides cost, create delays and difficulties. Therefore, when this is taken into account, the price of this service in Kosovo compared to the countries in the region is half lower, that is 84.74 euros as a price when the VAT is removed. I consider that if such a statement exists from Apostolova, it is hasty”.

On the issue of offering service to Kosovo by just one private company, Shala stresses that this does not make a fundamental distinction in the view of the content of service, however, this service in EU countries does not only offer subjects or state agencies.

I could mention Slovakia where a private company with limited responsibilities (Iris Dent s.r.o.), which offers the pension service, or the control of the authenticity carried out in case of importating the vehicle. In addition to Slovakia, Croatia also owns a single testatory for the services of this field called Croatia's Automotive Centre. There are other countries such as England, France, Holland, Denmark, Latvia, which have exclusiveity in offering these <x1) services.

Shala disagrees with Apostolova as far as the fact that the current <x0homologist constitutes violations of the SAA agreement...”.

“Serving control of the means' compatibility at the moment of entry or setting up the Kosovo market is also envisioned in the practices of many European countries. These practices are based on EU standards and directives. Furthermore, there is also the recommendation of the International Automotive Technical Inspection Committee, headquartered in Brussels, which sets out vehicle control measures or criteria at the gate. So I consider the statement to be incorrect or misunderstood in the context of Ambassador Apostolova's speech. Import control has its benefits in the service of protecting citizens' interest, including control of security, environmental and administrative conditions. Among other things, this is a professional technical issue of field expert level”.

Even NEEOR Shatri from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has another assessment from Apostolova's ambassador concerning the continuation of the contract for the existing counterpart's company.

“As far as the existing institution is offering the counterpart's service, this issue is clear according to Article 34 of the Automedia Law, which automatically continues the right of service delivery if it meets service delivery conditions. However, politics may decide to have more under the conditions before the legislation. But, the existing institution will continue in offering the counterpart's service, as has so far been”.

Shatri has indicated that Apostolova has been to the ministry several times on the issue of counterpart service.

“Given that the counterpart as a service is specific, professional, we agreed with Apostolova to give the final word to experts in this field who have been in Pristina from 13 May to 17 May. We are awaiting the report and will be conducted according to the findings”.

“Every step will emerge from mission experts' report AIEX will be considered for action. Without having their report, no changes are expected since we agreed with the EU office. We agreed that TAIEX's mission would come with experts from EU countries to examine the service and legislation of this area so that we can take steps in this direction. We remain in expectation of receiving the report with its” findings.

As for the prices of the counterpart's service, the price is 100 euros, defined by comparing it to countries in the region, where each country has its own modalities. I assure you that this price is the lowest when viewed as the total cost. The service is also offered in Fushe Kosovo as it is closer to key importers who are located in Pristina”.

Shatri has also challenged the reasoning of Apostolov's statement that Finland has a state agency that alone offers the service.

Not only Finland, but also England, Slovakia, Croatia, France, Denmark, Holland, Latvia, Estonia, etc., are owned by one institution. The difference is that such countries have greater latitude and need to have more service delivery centres, but all operate in the name of a single company or institution authorised”. /Klan Kosova/