Kosovo removes tariffs on Serbian, Bosnian products

BELGRADE, Serbia

Taxes on Serbian and Bosnian products will be replaced by reciprocity measures, Kosovo’s prime minister announced on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the 100% tariff currently in place would be replaced by reciprocity measures as soon as they are worked out by Kosovo’s Ministry of Economic Development.

Kurti, who took office earlier this month, emphasized that "full reciprocity" measures would be established with Belgrade.

In 2018, Kosovo imposed 100% customs duty on products imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The move was part of efforts to make Serbia recognize Kosovo’s independence. It marked the end of talks between the two countries initiated by the EU in 2011.

Over the past two years, Kosovo ignored repeated calls from the EU and the U.S. to withdraw the tax.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but Belgrade insists the country is one of its provinces.

The international community has also remained divided on recognition of Kosovo as a sovereign state.

Over 100 countries, including the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, and Turkey, have recognized Kosovo’s independence, while those who have not include Serbia, Russia, and China.