Brussels, 19/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 19 December, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton welcomed the results of the working group on the integrated border management (IBM) agreement made between Serbia and Kosovo on 4 December (see EUROPE 10745). During the working group the two parties reached an agreement on questions linked to the implementation of IBM. “The high representative expects that the understanding reached (…) will allow for the smooth functioning of the two gates opened on 10 December and the opening of two more gates by the end of the year”, her spokesperson stated. The working group will continue on 10 January in order to prepare for the dialogue meeting between the high representative and the prime ministers of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, and Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, on 17 January.
In a press release, the head of cabinet of the Serbian government on operational affairs and expertise, Dejan Pavicevic, said that the agreement focuses on the collection of excise duty at the crossing points as of 20 December at 8.00am. The vehicles with goods that are exempt from excise duty will be allowed to enter the north of Kosovo without a clearance, as well as excise goods up to three and a half tonnes, he added.
Earlier on 18 December, Dacic had threatened not to resume negotiations with his Kosovan counterpart if the IBM agreement was not properly implemented, according to a government press release. He spoke of a problem concerning the entry of goods subject to excise in Kosovo. (CG/transl.fl)