No truck with goods from Serbia has been introduced in Kosovo since Saturday

Following the Government's decision in office to meet reciprocity measures with Serbia, 12 carriers with goods originating from Serbia have returned from Kosovo Customs, as they have not been in line with the government's decision on the Republic of Kosovo.

Kosovo Customs spokesman Adriatic Stavileci tells Kosovo that following the government's decision, which has been taken Saturday with no mana with goods from Serbia, no one has entered Kosovo.

“We have so far returned 12 trucks now, six have been to the customs checkpoint in Jarinje, which have not been in line with the government's decision, and another six have returned to Merdara that have not been in line with the government's decision. Mostly incompatible with the government's decision is at point 3 of the decision, as well as point 1.1 and 1.2. Today we haven't had any shipments that have come”, Stavileci noted.

While monitoring goods within or on the Kosovo market, Stavileci stressed that this is the responsibility of the Market Inspectorate under MEPTINIS.

However, he stressed that customs co-operates with all relevant institutions for implementation of reciprocity even within the country.

“As far as co-operation for the border points is concerned, we have good co-operation, until the competency of the Inspectorate lies within the territory of Kosovo where customs there is no competence. Normally we offer support to all institutions, but as it will be the legal competence of the”, he stressed.

While, the Ministry of Economy, Employment, Trade, Industry, Strategic Enterprises and Investment (MEPTINIS) has ordered only goods off the market since they were imported have been contrary to the law and decisions that were in force at the time.

The market's “Inspectorate has taken no illegal action or at the expense of businesses that respect law”, it is said in clarification of this ministry.

At the final meeting, the government in office had made a decision to change and fulfill decision No. 0120 of 31 March 2020 for gradual implementation of reciprocity as a principle in relations with Serbia.

In trade relations with Serbia, documents for agricultural and industrial products are prohibited that: they use domestic names or contain other elements contrary to the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and legislation in power; they contain names of countries in the Republic of Kosovo, but do not contain the name of the state; they refer to the Republic of Kosovo except by the name of the Republic of Kosovo.

The Food and Veterinary Agency uses the name and coating of the Republic of Kosovo at phytosanitary and veterinarian certificates.

Economic operators from Serbia should be equipped with opening permits for each vehicle with goods entering the Republic of Kosovo. The application for entry permits is presented to the Interconnecting Office of the Republic of Kosovo in Serbia with paper or via e-mail.

A commercial society founded according to the rules of authorities in Serbia cannot be recognised as a legal person. Despite the form of its organisation in Serbia, such a society can be recognised, in accordance with Law No. 06/ L-016 for commercial companies.