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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Pristina’s decision on customs tariffs leads to instability

Belgrade, 8 December 2018

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic stated today that trade with businesses in Kosovo-Metohija has been completely interrupted after Pristina's decision to increase import tariffs on goods from central Serbia to 100 percent.

In an interview with the Radio-Television of Serbia, Ljajic said that before the introduction of tariffs, the monthly trade amounted to approximately €40 million, and estimated that the consequences of the decision of Pristina will be very high even if this decision is abolished immediately.

He pointed out that this decision only leads to instability and that it has opened Pandora's box as Pristina will not stop there, but will make more obstacles that will aggravate the overall situation in the region.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that he does not believe that the authorities in Pristina will bear consequences for the introduction of the 100 percent import tariffs and that he expects that the Standing Committee on Stabilisation and Association will only request Pristina once more to abolish the tariffs.

We also face the crisis of authority of the European Union because if you cannot solve this kind of dispute, which is simple, then how can you mediate in seeking a political solution to a much more complicated problem, Ljajic asked.

Speaking about negotiations on free trade with the Eurasian Economic Union, Ljajic said that 80 percent of the agreement has been harmonised, and voiced expectation that this document will be signed during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Serbia in January next year.