Macedonian government organises meeting after Kosovo measures for reciprocity

So the Office of the Government of the Republic of Northern Macedonia suggested through a statement from the Ministry of Economy. And it becomes known that this minister, “Monday, will organise meetings with authorities and relevant institutions to solve the problem stemming from the presentation of the measure for exports of potatoes and honey from the Republic of Northern Macedonia to the Republic of Kosovo”.

At the meeting, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, the Customs Directorate, the Food and veterinarian Agency and other institutions will participate.

“At the meeting, activities are expected to be taken to resolve the consequences of the move presented by the Republic of Kosovo. As for claims by the Kosovo side that no answer has been given for resolving the issue of new egg imports and fish from the Republic of Kosovo to the Republic of Northern Macedonia, the Ministry of Economy and other competent authorities in the country have immediately announced that the move has been undertaken in line with European Union regulations on importing these products. This is in line with the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Victorial Measures, where the Republic of Northern Macedonia is a member since 2003”, Koha.net says.

In Macedonia's ME announcement also reportedly that under CEFTA regulations, the Ministry of Economy since June at regular CEFTA meetings has responded to the Kosovo side on this issue, and also the Food and Veterinary Agency has informed the Kosovo side that the new legislation was adopted in line with European regulation.

The past <x0). Their representatives have stressed that the fish disease monitoring system in the Republic of Kosovo is not monitored”, the report said.

However, the Republic of Northern Macedonia, says the report, has had intensive contact with competent institutions from the Republic of Kosovo during the importation of these products, but no data was received to confirm the health state of products mentioned by the accredited institution in the Republic of Kosovo.

Today, incumbent Minister of Trade and Industry Andrew Shala has imposed reciprocity measures on northern Macedonia's honey and potatoes, arguing that the latter is applying tariff barriers to products of the Republic of Kosovo.

Through a media report, Shala has stressed that since June of this year, when Kosovo's product, the fish rasad, has been attached to the tax barriers on the part of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, she has filed complaints through the CEFTA Secretariat and has also addressed the economy minister, but has not reflected.

And two months have already passed and we have no answers, so I am obliged to protect the interest of Kosovo, the Kosovar business and to protect our products from taking other legal actions, based on the laws of the Republic of Kosovo. Today I have taken the decision to impose reciprocal measures for North Macedonia products imported to Kosovo and to ban access to certain products in order to force the state of Northern Macedonia to reflect and have equal treatment for Kosovo products entering that state”, the minister said.

The minister has stressed that there must be equal treatment, which, according to him, is the only way we have to move forward.

“Reciprocity, partnership and equal treatment of Kosovo products during exports to countries in the region is the only way we have to move forward. If this treatment continues we will take further steps, not only to this country but other states as well. Currently, no Kosovo product being exported abroad will have uneven treatment”, the minister stressed.