The spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) welcomed the announcement, on Friday 28 February, by the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, of the future lifting of tariffs on imports of raw materials from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Kosovar Prime Minister announced that he would abolish the 100% tariff imposed on raw materials imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina by 15 March. He added that, if Serbia pledged to stop its 'campaign of non-recognition' against Kosovo and remove trade barriers, tariffs on other products would be removed for 90 days, starting 1 April. Otherwise, Pristina could take additional measures, Kurti warned.
While waiting for "more details" on the decision, EEAS spokesman Peter Stano explained that it was a "first step" - if the announcement was followed by appropriate action - towards restoring confidence.
"This step could have a positive effect on restoring regional trade and offer an opening for the resumption of the Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina facilitated by the European Union", the spokesman added. Discussions within the Dialogue framework have been suspended since the introduction of these tariffs in November 2018.
Recalling that too much time had been lost, the spokesman said that trust "needs to be urgently restored" and that an environment conducive for the Dialogue to resume needs to be created.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, is ready to play his role as the facilitator of the Dialogue on behalf of the EU, he said. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)