Vulin understands concern of Kosovo businessmen
Aleksandar Vulin, director of the Serbian government's Office for Kosovo, stated Monday that he understands the concern of businessmen in north Kosovo, and that he hopes that the next meeting between Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci will resolve the problem of transfer of goods over the administrative crossings.
(KosovoCompromiseStuff) Monday, December 24, 2012
Under the agreement on customs duty collection at integrated crossings reached by the working groups of Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels, which was enforced at the Jarinje administrative crossing on Thursday, vehicles carrying goods that are not subject to excise tax will be able to enter northern Kosovo without clearance, which also applies to excise goods weighing up to three and a half tons.
Vulin told reporters in the Palace of Serbia that the provision on the transfer of goods weighing three and a half tons is debatable, and that this is particularly obvious in terms of oil and its derivatives.
"There are almost no cisterns of three and a half ton capacity," Vulin said, adding that it is very difficult to transfer three and a half tons, even if it were sparkling water.
The Albanian side has a policy of excises because it does not have economy, he said.
"Nothing is working in Kosovo, and therefore they are imposing excises on everything, even on sparkling water. For this reason, this so-called state is unsustainable," he said.
Vulin said that the Brussels agreement is binding, and that Serbia will implement it.
"We will continue to implement the agreement, and I hope that on January 17 when Prime Minister Dacic confers with (Kosovo Prime Minister) Taci, this problem will be resolved," he said.
Vulin said that the limitations, which are being imposed at the crossing points, can be an important economic problem.
He expressed concern about the supply of citizens in north Kosovo, adding that he is certain that Monday's protests staged by north Kosovo businessmen will be peaceful, adding that it is crucial that they are not directed either against the government or citizens of Serbia.
Vulin said that dissatisfaction should be clearly voiced so that the EU representatives and world officials could understand that a problem exists.
Vulin told reporters in the Palace of Serbia that the provision on the transfer of goods weighing three and a half tons is debatable, and that this is particularly obvious in terms of oil and its derivatives.
"There are almost no cisterns of three and a half ton capacity," Vulin said, adding that it is very difficult to transfer three and a half tons, even if it were sparkling water.
The Albanian side has a policy of excises because it does not have economy, he said.
"Nothing is working in Kosovo, and therefore they are imposing excises on everything, even on sparkling water. For this reason, this so-called state is unsustainable," he said.
Vulin said that the Brussels agreement is binding, and that Serbia will implement it.
"We will continue to implement the agreement, and I hope that on January 17 when Prime Minister Dacic confers with (Kosovo Prime Minister) Taci, this problem will be resolved," he said.
Vulin said that the limitations, which are being imposed at the crossing points, can be an important economic problem.
He expressed concern about the supply of citizens in north Kosovo, adding that he is certain that Monday's protests staged by north Kosovo businessmen will be peaceful, adding that it is crucial that they are not directed either against the government or citizens of Serbia.
Vulin said that dissatisfaction should be clearly voiced so that the EU representatives and world officials could understand that a problem exists.
