Kosovo to coordinate with the US on reciprocity with Serbia, says Isa Mustafa

Gazeta Express

21/02/2020 19:42

Chairman of the Democratic league of Kosovo (LDK) Isa Mustafa, told Gazeta Express that it is essential for Kosovo to coordinate its policies with the United States on Government’s plan to introduce reciprocity with Serbia.

The LDK and Vetevendosje had included replacement of tariffs on Serbian products with reciprocity measures as part of their agreement on governance. But the United States only partially supports this point of the agreement: they demand the tax be abolished but not be replaced with reciprocity. US officials, starting from US Secretary of State to the US Ambassador to Kosovo, have been calling on Kosovo institutions to revoke the tariff. Among them is also Trump’s envoy, Richard Grenell, who has proven that he resolves quickly and decisively issues between Kosovo and Serbia. He wants the tariff to be lifted and sanction idea to end.

Asked if he supports the idea of ​​introducing reciprocity even after US pressure, the LDK chairman Isa Mustafa said coordination with the US is essential. “It is essential that our policies are coordinated with the United States, as our strategic partners. The other things are a matter of modalities,” Mustafa told Gazeta Express.

Meanwhile, Vetevendosje’s press office said that they stand behind what has been agreed with the LDK. Two days ago, Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo and Vetevendosje chairman, said that the tax will be replaced with full reciprocity. “We will replace the 100% tariff and implement full trade reciprocity with Serbia as with any state,” said Kurti. “The tariff has been a decision of the previous government. We are not for tariffs as a punitive measure against the consumer but for reciprocity that protects the producers.” In his earlier statements as prime minister, Kurti said he did not want to leave a gap between tariff and reciprocity, namely that he would first impose reciprocity measures on Serbia and then lift the tariff. /GazetaExpress/