Kosovo Albanian leaders have come under serious US pressure: Washington is demanding the immediate abolition of 100 percent duties on goods from central Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Otherwise, the self-proclaimed “Kosovo” may face US sanctions, and even recalling the American military from the Bondsteel base is called as one of the possible measures, the Serbian agency Tanyug reports to the Kosovo media.
Recall that at the end of last year, the self-proclaimed “Republic of Kosovo” introduced duties in the amount of 100% for all products from Serbia and BiH. This inevitably affected the delivery of goods, including the first need, to the serbian populated north of the region. Millions of losses suffered the Serbian business, and profits from the redistribution of flows received neighboring Albania and Macedonia, under the current government is also loyal to the Albanian platform.
On the eve of Pristina, a delegation from the United States visited, which met with representatives of the “Kosovo” government. The guests from Washington unequivocally repeated the demand, previously not once voiced by the US ambassador to Kosovo: the duties must be abolished, and the dialogue with Belgrade, stopped because of this provocative measure, should be continued.
As early as February 11, the White House Pristina agreed that the duties undermine Kosovo’s partnership with the United States. Kosovo’s Prime Minister Ramush Haradinai repeatedly stated that he would reconsider them only after Serbia’s official recognition of the province’s independence.
As the Pristina portal Koch now writes, the delegation voiced the position of the American President Donald Trump: “Kosovo” should use the last opportunity and refrain from actions that complicate the conclusion of a treaty (between Belgrade and Pristina).
The author also notes that US pressure exacerbated the split between coalition partners and members of the Pristina dialogue team, especially because of the tough position of Ramos Haradinaj.
The website “Zeri”, under the heading “Serious American Strike,” writes, citing its sources, that the United States had warned of the possibility of withdrawing its military from Kosovo, since duties undermine the partnership with the United States.
“If the duty is not canceled, serious consequences are possible. In addition to not issuing visas and canceling security assistance, these duties and the refusal of dialogue can lead to the US closing the Bondsteel base, ”the source quoted.
Washington notes that Pristina’s position is destructive, while Serbia demonstrates a serious attitude and is aimed at a final agreement with clear legal obligations.
Recall that this is not the first conflict with the United States of his brainchild and, it would seem, the most devoted follower – “Kosovo”. Earlier, the self-proclaimed republic began to form an army, which is contrary to international agreements on the disputed edge. The United States opposed this move. In the peacekeeping mission, NATO said it would reconsider interaction with the Kosovo security forces, which it was decided to transform into armed forces.