Germany, partners expected to provide Kosovo scanners for border control

German Embassy spokesman in Kosovo Christian Bottcher has declared that Germany is keen to support Kosovo in meeting its security needs by offering scanners that German emissary for the Western Balkans Manuel Sarrazin had offered Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

“The share of this [support] will be other partners. Scans have to make sure as soon as possible in accordance with public procurement regulations and regulations and in line with the needs on the ground”- Bottcher said of KALLXO.

Scans, as he has stated, are part of an earlier agreement. Bottcher has commemorated that the scanners were initially offered if the block of goods were removed and since Prime Minister Kurti previously dismissed the idea of opening the border for Serbian goods earlier, they were removed from “timeza”.

“Now the way has been opened to continue with”- he said.

While in the question that if with this action of Kurti, Sarrazin's demands have been met, he said that “this is essentially what has been demanded of Kosovo- [so] yes”.

German Ambassador Jorn Rohde said that “free trade not only promotes local and regional economies, but also opens the doors for participation in regional and European initiatives”.

A day earlier, Kurti said they have expectations that will achieve full success even at the CEFTA summit in 09.10.2024, and even at the Berlin Summit at 14,10,2024.

Even the European Union Office in Kosovo said it has welcomed the removal of restrictions for the entry of ready Serbian products into Kosovo through Merdare.

Free trade of goods throughout the Western Balkans, in accordance with CEFTA regulations, is key to the functioning of the Common Regional Market, which is an integral part of the Growth Plan”, said in the statement issued by the EU Office.

Prime Minister Kurti, on 07.10.2024, has announced that the security measure for Serbian goods has been changed, from “definition” as it has been so far, to “added”. He said they have currently chosen that additional control to take place only at the Merdara border point, because according to him, there is wider space and the customs terminal is near. Kurti warned that goods will be unblocked at other border points with Serbia when scanners are secured by international allies.

The government chief said they are also waiting for the US and the European Union, and mostly Germany, to provide Kosovo with these equipment, as the “s have said they will try to secure”.

Kosovo Customs itself is already buying scanners. We are not just telling the internationals to help us, but help us that we ourselves are spending” -- he said, adding that Kosovo's security is also for the internationals.

Kurt said the whole government's done this job.

“From me, Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, my adviser Jeton Zulfaj has talked and negotiated with the European Union, in particular with Germany”- he said.

If you don't get better results by the October 14th summit, I'm worried we won't achieve our goal...” - Sarrazin said on 29.08.2024.

The decision-making in CEFTA is blocked because the Government wants Kosovo to be represented as an independent state, not through the UN mission, UNMIK.