The diaspora continues to pay border insurance for cars

Citizens of Kosovo who live and work in different European states, every time they enter Kosovo they are forced to pay a lot of the financial means for securing their cars.

People entering Kosovo with auto-vectors must pay 15 euros for the 15-day stay. Meanwhile, the stay for a month amounts to the value of 20 euros. These tariffs differ from the motor vehicles category and the period of stay in Kosovo.

One of them is Fidaim Zeqiri, who has lived in Germany's state for six years. He says the price of the security policy is not too high. But the delay because of long columns is boring to complete this obligation.

There were times when I waited more than an hour until the turn came to pay. We also make the long way to come to Kosovo and the wait for this payment has been tortured”, Zeqiri says.

The past Kosovo government, led by Albin Kurti, has approved a request by the Ministry of Finance to establish a mechanism for covering border security obligations by the Government of Kosovo.

This will apply to all fellow countrymen and foreigners who are subject to border police and come to Kosovo for 2020.

On the other hand, Kosovo Government officials, led by Avdullah Hoti, have not given any answers as to whether procedures for implementing this decision have begun or been cancelled.

Hoti in an interview for Radio Free Europe, days ago said that the “government would carefully analyse all decisions made by the previous government to ensure whether they are in line with law”.

The payment of auto-responsibilities border security is legally imposed on all motor vehicles with foreign signs that enter the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. These include the transport vehicles, the Kosovo diaspora.

At the Kosovar Bureau of Insurance, they claim they are ready for discussion on this issue, although, according to them, this is complex and requires professional treatment.

Blerim Pushcoli, executive director at the Kosovar Insurance Bureau (BKS), says an evental decision will create financial implications and the legal aspect should be looked at. Border security is based on the Law on Security Obliged by Auto responsibility.

“should be well thought out because of carrying the risk with the release of any security police. Financial sacrifice is quite high, for example in a secured case costing 15 euros per 15 days, the demand of persons for compensation could amount to 1.2m euros. As for the damage caused by the use of buses and motor vehicles destined for the transport of dangerous materials, twice the minimum amount of security is implemented”, Pushcoli said.

He added that if the cost of border security is to be taken over by the Government of Kosovo, then there will be financial implications and the burden of Kosovo's budget, which is mainly covered by Kosovo taxpayers.

And here it is normal to ask questions, how can Kosovar taxpayers be charged to pay for insurance from engine executives with foreign registrations?

But, the Kosovo Security Bureau will be co-operative in the process and I will respect any decision made by the Kosovo Government”, says Pushcoli.

Of the border insurance fees, Pushcoli says, last year more than 7.7m euros in revenues have been collected, while the payment of damages paid by BKS for the same period results in 7.9m euros. / REL/