an hour agoCEFTA rejects Kosovo request to be represented without UNMIK
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)The Joint CEFTA Committee at the last meeting for 2021 failed to resolve the issue of Kosovo representation without UNMIK. Through a letter, on September 24th this year, Minister of Industry, Trade and Trade Roseta Hajdari had asked CEFTA for Kosovo to be represented without UNMIK involvement, but that is [...]
Through a letter, on September 24th this year, Minister of Industry, Trade and Trade Roseta Hajdari had asked CEFTA for Kosovo to be represented without UNMIK involvement, but this has been rejected at the CEFTA Committee meeting, which was held on Wednesday.
The Joint Committee did not approve the letter of Minister Hajdari, for lack of consensus. Meanwhile, Kosovo rejected the adoption of ministerial conclusions and three proposals, including Serbia's proposed decision to recognise the programme of authorised economic operators, as well as the budget from which the CEFTA Secretariat staff is paid. The Joint Committee makes consensus decisions on all sides”, reportedly in MINT's announcement
UNMIK, as a temporary UN mission, has signed the CEFTA Agreement in 2006 on behalf of Kosovo.
According to MINT, UNMIK has then filed a declaration under which the validity of the CEFTA agreement will depend on the future Kosovo authorities.
“Now that UNMIK no longer holds executive power in Kosovo, Minister Hajdari has demanded that Kosovo authorities represent themselves as an equal party. The principle of equality, non-discrimination and transparency is guarantee to move forward towards faster economic development and EU integration”.
“In its elaborate, despite the Serb side's refusal and severe obstacle, Minister Hajdari recalled Kosovo's commitment to meeting obligations from CEFTA, so insisted that Kosovo should enjoy the right to equal treatment”, the ministry's announcement said.
Minister Hajdari added that the letter for representation of Kosovo without UNMIK should not be viewed as political issues, but as a necessity to facilitate the functioning of CEFTA, which will facilitate resolving many unresolved trade issues and accelerate regional economic integration.
Hajdari has also mentioned the heavy barriers Serbia is implementing to Kosovo, stressing that they are serious violations of the CEFTA Agreement and the fundamental principles of the World Trade Organisation.
