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Southeast Europe
December 7, 2018 www.intellinews.com I Page 20
By refusing to condemn the crown prince, Trump was condoning the murder of a journalist, he said. The CIA has concluded bin Salman "probably or- dered" the killing of Khashoggi, according to the BBC.
No sign of crisis ending as Kosovan PM conditions lifting import tariffs on recognition from Serbia
Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje
Kosovan Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj
said on December 3 that 100% customs tariffs imposed on products imported from Serbia will be removed if Belgrade recognises Kosovo as an independent state.
Kosovo introduced the measure, which is also ap- plied to Bosnia & Herzegovina, on November 21, one day after Kosovo’s bid to join Interpol failed due to the increased Serbian pressure on member countries to vote against Kosovo's membership.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but it is still not recognised as
a separate country.
At the news conference after he met EU Enlarge- ment Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Pristina, Haradinaj explained that Kosovo imposed the taxes following continuing obstacles from Serbia, preventing Kosovo from becoming a member of international organisations.
However he said, according to RTK, that Pristina is ready to sign a free-trade agreement with Serbia if Belgrade recognises Kosovo.
The spy agency has evidence he exchanged messages with now-dismissed royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani, who allegedly oversaw the Saudi reporter's murder.
Kosovan Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj at a local agricultural producers' fair. He says the tariffs are already benefitting local companies.
Haradinaj also emphasised the commitment of the Kosovan government to the path of EU integration, and the priorities of the rule of law and economic development.
Hahn said previously he will urge the Kosovan authorities to remove customs tariffs imposed on goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia in order to “unblock regional cooperation.
Hahn arrived in Pristina from Belgrade where
he held talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in a meeting focused on the Kosovan tariffs.
Following his visit to Belgrade Hahn said in a tweet: “Good meeting with Vucic in Belgrade where we discussed the introduction of tariffs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia by Kosovo which obstructs CEFTA agreement and regional cooperation.
We agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation."
Vucic warned of the possible consequences of the “irresponsible move by the Kosovo authorities”
to increase taxes, which, according to him, could lead to destabilisation of the region and the escalation of violence.