Within days to be decided on 100% tax issue to Serbia

Kosovo Parliament Speaker Vjosa Osmani on Tuesday after the assembly of the Parliament's Headship has said that within two days it will be decided on the issue of the fee on Serbia's products.

Osmani, following the chairmanship's meeting in journalists' questions about the fee, said there is a party agreement in the government regarding the fee on Serbia's products and regarding the realisation of this agreement these two-days will have a co-ordination and the steps of both time and content will be established regarding implementation of the fee agreement.

So in a few days we'll be able... But, as I have outlined this answer, I am not giving it in the name of the Parliament, but only as a partner of the ruling coalition because it is the government issue and the two parties that are in government”, she said.

During a table concerning Kosovo- Serbia has spoken on the issue of the fee, including LDK deputy Arben Gashi.

He has said he is considering the opportunity to lift the fee, while according to him, reciprocity will not prevent talks with Serbia.

Gashi, chief of the LDK parliamentary group, praised that the tariff has been used as political tool by past government and has brought political damage to Kosovo in relation to the international community

“In all reports where Serbia does not recognise Kosovo, Kosovo will not recognise Serbia”, Gashi has said, referring to KDI's announcement.

In concrete terms, according to him, reciprocity will be implemented among other things regarding the international trade code, food/profit safety certificates, transport vehicles and education. While, in terms of political reciprocity in relation to Serbia's lobby, he spoke of the international community's full competitions for halting this Serbia campaign, without excluding other analog actions that could be undertaken.

But, unlike the ruling parties, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo Parliamentary Group chief Daut Haradinaj has called for the 100% tax on Serbian products not lifted.

According to him, the tax has unable Serbia's territorial claims on Kosovo.

Haradinaj said the opposition would be constructive and Kosovo's caretaker on February 17th 2008.

While, on the other hand, he added that “as long as there is no mutual recognition, there can be neither the functioning of reciprocity”.

Haradinaj added that the tax has not blocked the dialogue, because the same is continuing and agreements have been reached on the highway, railways and airlines between the two countries.

Haxhi Shala, parliamentary group chief NISMA-AKR said they continue to maintain the same position regarding the tax. He added that it is unclear what the ruling coalition will do about the talks, as well as what reciprocity implies.

“Based on ambassadors' statements, as well as reciprocity, just as the tax will be blocking the process. If from an international boycott due to the tax, we are going to a second boycott due to reciprocity, then why move from the tax?

Regarding the position for dialogue, Shala added that they would be constructive and that when there is clear platforms on what the negotiating team will do, it will be declared whether they support this process.