SAROVIC WITH THE MINISTERS FROM SOUTH EAST EUROPE: URGENTLY ABOLISH PRISTINA'S TAXES

"The introduction of customs barriers by Pristina on goods from BiH and Serbia has not only distorted the trade but also the stability of the region because such negligent political moves of the Pristina's authorities lead to disintegration processes and deterioration as a whole", was emphasized at the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Mirko Sarovic with ministers responsible for agriculture and trade of South East Europe countries, held today in Berlin.

Minister Sarovic met with Germany's Minister of Agriculture and Food Julia Klöckner and Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, where it was stressed that unilateral barriers to trade between the CEFTA countries must be immediately revoked in order not to call into question the progress, integration and development of the region of the South East Europe.

Minister Sarovic emphasized on this occasion that free and fair trade is an essential issue for the region and that this issue, for all Western Balkan countries, is much more than an economic issue. "By removing trade barriers and promoting co-operation and strengthening ties between the countries of the Western Balkans, economic growth and the development of the society as a whole are promoted and accelerated, and this process has no alternative," Minister Sarovic said.

Although there are indications that the authorities in Pristina already consider the possibility of meeting the requests sent from various sides, the European Commission and Germany officials agree that the solution to overcome such disintegration processes will not be possible without the strong and concrete involvement of the European Commission, including the Federal Republic of Germany as one of the most important members of the European Union. Minister Sarovic informed the interlocutors that, despite the unilateral barriers to trade, Bosnia and Herzegovina maintained constant communication with the authorities in Pristina and announced the upcoming meeting and bilateral talks between the two sides in order to abolish the measures introduced.