GazetaExpress Thursday, 17 January 2019
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj told EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, that Kosovo is committed to EU integration path. Haradinaj mentioned no tax on Serbia’s imports imposed by his Government causing a clash with the EU officials in Brussels who urged Kosovo to revoke the tax.
Haradinaj who on Thursday hosted the EU Commissioner Hahn has not addressed media following the meeting, and chose Facebook to issue a formal statement of what was discussed with Hahn. The Prime Minister told Hahn that Kosovo has fulfilled all visa liberalization criteria and expects the EU to take actions in lifting visas soon. “During meeting with Hahn I reiterated Kosovo’s firm position towards EU integrations path. Progress has been marked in fulfilling the European agenda as well as visa liberalization criteria and we expect a prompt decision on waving visas,” Haradinaj wrote in Facebook. Commissioner Hahn during a visit to Kosovo in December 2018 urged Haradinaj to revoke the decision on imposing 100 percent tax on goods from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina saying that the tax is against EU integration path.
Also Hahn avoided mentioning tax issue, despite mounting pressure of the EU and US towards Kosovo authorities asking the tax be rescinded as soon as possible. Hahn in a Tweet said he had a good and open discussion with Haradinaj and Ministers. “Looking forward to working closely in all open issues this year, so Kosovo can advance on its EU path,” Hahn said. Commissioner Hahn following meeting with Haradinaj has travelled to Tirana where he will meet Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama.