Ministers Shala and Bekteshi towards resolving trade barriers between the two countries

Trade and Industry Minister Andrew Shala has hosted Northern Macedonia's Economy Minister Kreshnik Bektesh, who has discussed resolving trade barriers between the two countries today.

Minister Shala stressed they have agreed to find a solution to the removal of barriers.

We discussed some problems that some of our businesses recently encountered during the time of doing business in northern Macedonia. We as Kosovo's government, the Minister of Trade and Industry and the Food and Veterinary Agency have agreed today to send additional guarantees to northern Macedonia, and these guarantees Kosovo has no obligation to have with other CEFTA signatory countries. Our Veterina Agency by Friday will provide North Macedonia's programme for active monitoring in order for AUVK in Macedonia to be easier to market that product into the EU. AWK in Macedonia this week is expected to lift the barrier to Kosovo, but at the moment when the two sides complete these then they will eliminate the measure imposed by us as MTI”, Shala said.

He has announced that he has asked the part of Northern Macedonia to have trade relations without barriers.

We are interested in overcoming the situation and hope it does not repeat itself. We're willing to have trade relations without barriers, with everyone, because we're partners on our way to the European Union, but respecting each other. The time has come for others to trust us in our work and control, as long as we trust them”, Shala stressed.

While Northern Macedonia Economy Minister Kreshnik Bektesh said they are interested in finding a solution and continuing trade reports with the Republic of Kosovo.

The co-operation between the two sides is in the interest of deepening and further co-operation. We support Kosovo in all international instances”, Bekteshi said.