Reaction after Kosovo 100 percent tax rise on goods imported from Serbia
3,493 views · Published 28 November 2018 · 2:48 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(23 Nov 2018) An economics expert says the 100 percent tax placed on all Serbian imports into Kosovo is a problem that needs to be solved as soon as possible. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has blamed the European Union and the West for allegedly failing to prevent Kosovo's move. Economics expert Safet Gerxhaliu, who formerly led the Kosovo chamber of commerce, said Friday both Serbia and Kosovo need to solve this issue them and "give a chance to dialogue." However some residents in Pristina said they have no issue with the tax. "The prices haven't changed, they are the same as they were before one week or one month," said Maxi supermarket owner Shqipe Rrahmani. "I don't see it as a problem, there are always replacement products," added supermarket customer Eroll Morina. After a bloody war in 1998-99 war that was only stopped after a US-led NATO intervention, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia and its ally Russia do not recognize Kosovo's statehood, while the U.S. and most Western countries do. The EU, which is mediating the Serbia-Kosovo peace talks, has told the two sides they must normalize relations as a precondition to entering the bloc. Despite diplomatic tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, business ties have grown and Serb imports to Kosovo amount to about 400 million euros (460 million US dollars) a year, while Kosovo's exports to Serbia are much lower. The latest taxes are likely to hurt mostly Serbs who live in the north of Kosovo. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/c5bac21fea75e425e1d9acb1d7d5f342
