The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and the Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, urged the Kosovo government on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 November to "immediately revoke" the new taxes on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Kosovo Government's decision "to increase the tax on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to 100% is a clear violation of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and of the spirit of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and Kosovo. It further exacerbates the situation following the initial imposition of 10% tax increase", on November 6, Mogherini denounced in a statement.
For Hahn, this taxation hurts Kosovar consumers and businesses. "Kosovo holds the Presidency of CEFTA and therefore has a special responsibility. I will soon be participating in CEFTA Week in Pristina and I expect this to be resolved by then," he warned.
The spokeswoman of the European External Action Service, Maja Kocijancic, recalled that the EU monitors all regional obligations, including CEFTA, claiming this agreement to be a "cornerstone" of cooperation in the Western Balkans. According to the spokesperson, the EU expects Belgrade and Pristina to respect their commitments to avoid any provocation and to continue working on the normalisation of their relations. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)