Rate: Pressure Stops

The United States of America is not putting a stop to pressure on the Government of Kosovo for the complete and faster tax on Serbian and Bosnian products. Although Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti had warned that he would partly lift this fee starting on March 15th and fully on April 1st, this is not being supported by US Special Representative for Kosovo Dialogue Serbia Richard Green.

Even if the tax is not completely lifted is reportedly pushing the idea of imposing limited sanctions on the Government of Kosovo, such as halting US aid and investment. Days earlier, the prime minister's office had stated that during the conversation Kurt had with Yerenelli it was confirmed that aid to Kosovo would not be stopped due to the fee. But Grenelli has reacted Thursday to these statements, calling them false.

He has said the US has made it clear to Kurt that his decision to keep the tariffs even partially is damaging Kosovo's economy and that the US would not waste its aid if Kosovo leadership continues to harm its people in this way. But this pressure by Americans is being assessed as unilateral and uneven, as Kosovo has taken initiative to gradually lift the fee, while Serbia is continuing savagely with its campaign against recognition of Kosovo. Meanwhile, the entire political spectrum in Kosovo is divided as far as the 100 per cent tax is concerned. Besides differing positions in opposition, the same positions do not hold even coalition partners.

U.S. doesn't promise investment if tariffs go down

Through a post on social network “Titter” Richard Granelli has exposed statements from the Kosovo prime minister's office days ago, following a communication Prime Minister Kurti had with Richard Greenelli, has declared that Yerenelli has confirmed American support for Kosovo, regardless of the tariffs.

“during Prime Minister Kurt's private phone conversation with Ambassador O'Brien and Ambassador Green they have not stated they will withdraw American troops from Kosovo and stop in any area economic assistance for our country. The United States of America is determined to boost economic development and strengthen security in the region. At the end of the conversation, both sides have agreed to continue communication and co-operation”, it is said by representatives of the prime minister's office.

But Grenelli called the content of this call a lie. He has said the US will not continue to carry damage aid to Kosovo if the leadership works that way. This is not true. We have made it clear to Kurt that his decision to lift the fee, even in part, is damaging Kosovo's economy. The US will not waste its aid if Kosovo's leadership continues to harm its people this way”, Yerenelli said.

Government: Retire tax gradually, the right course

Kosovo Prime Minister Erzen Vraniqi's adviser, Erzen Vrinqi, has said that the statements of special representative Richard Greenelli for dialogue appear more severe in the social network “Titter” than in phone conversations between him and Prime Minister Kurti. But despite Grenelli's disagreement with the gradual removal of the tax, Vraniqi says the government is on track. I may be wrong, but my impression is that Ambassador Green's tweets look more severe than talking to him.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti has expressed his clear and precise stance for gradual removal of the 100% fee and gradual settlement of reciprocity. Ambassador Green didn't like that, calling it half a size. But Prime Minister Albin Kurti has chosen the best and most constructive way for Kosovo with his” proposal.

According to him, Ambassador Green's communications through the social network “Titter” are being misused for domestic political interests. “On the other hand, this is where Ambassador Green is most misused for the internal political struggle in Kosovo by those who lost the elections and now have been affected by the interests of the Government's decisions, especially by the dismissals of corrupt boards of some public companies”, Vranqi has indicated.

Britain supports partial tax removal, but wants its complete removal

But unlike the US, Great Britain has supported the start of the 100 per cent tax on Serbian and Bosnian goods. Again, British Ambassador to Kosovo Nicholas Abbott in an interview has declared that his state supports partial tax removal, but that they expect it to be completely removed. So he has said that both states should create conditions for the quick start of dialogue.

The United Kingdom supports the resumption of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as the partial withdrawal of the tax on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but we expect full tax removal. We support the negotiation process and encourage both sides to continue. Both sides must create conditions for advancing dialogue and take action, which could lead to a final agreement”, Abbott said.

Green is not treating Kosovo, Serbia equally

Political issue recogniser Blerim Vela, through a writing, has reacted to reports of possible US sanctions against the Government of Kosovo due to its immediate failure to lift the fee. He emphasises that the move seems to take place, although there is a government proposal first for partial and then full removal of the fee. So the fee will be lifted and negotiations are continuing, making the deployment of ʹsanctions unnecessary. On the other hand, Serbia continues its campaign of recognition to Kosovo and weapons from Russia in opposition to US vital interests. Despite these actions, no threat of sanctions against Serbia! This approach could question the credibility of the negotiating process, while the parties are not equally treated”.

Vela has estimated that placing “sanctions” on Kosovo could be explained by the will of Greenelli to impose a quick Kosovo agreement on Serbia. So what could justify placing options on the Kosovo side? The explanation can be found in the will of Ambassador Green to be imposed as a mediator with undisputed authority and with the ability to impose solutions on the parties so that the quick agreement between Kosovo and Serbia” is reached, Vela has concluded.