Lajiq: All stores empty north of Mitrovica

Serbia's Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Minister Rasim Lajiq said Serbia will try to supply the population to Kosovo, at least with basic foods.

In the morning, we were informed that there is a lack of milk, there are no fruits and vegetables in stores and other food products reserves are slowly empty”, Lajiq told Serbia's Radio Television.

He said that following the Kosovo Special Police Unit's action in the north, fewer goods from Serbia have gone to Kosovo, adding that due to the Kosovo authorities' deployment of the fee “all have lost” and mostly the Serbian economy.

“From Serbia, 228 million less goods have been sent to Kosovo from 21 November to 24 June. The price of goods in Kosovo has increased by 5.3 per cent. In addition, Kosovo has increased imports by 6.4 per cent, despite reports that domestic producers will use the introduction of the fee to increase production. The only ones who have really benefited are smugglers”, Lajjic said.

On Tuesday, Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has reiterated the declaration that Kosovo has knowledge that efforts are under way in the country's north to improvise a <x0 humanitarian crisis”. As he has said, certain food products are being kept in various objects and houses in northern Kosovo, while stores are being emptied. According to him, this scenario would have to be activated Thursday.

Government of Serbia Office for Kosovo Director Marko Djurovic has told Serbian media on Tuesday that recent days the channels for supply from Serbia with basic products for living have been cut off.