Savic: Kosovo rewarded in CEFTA, while the ban on Serbian goods partially lifted

Zoran Savic from NGO Aktiv tells Kosovo Online that although the Kosovo government partially lifted the ban on Serbian goods nearly a month ago, the supply of goods in northern stores remains the same as it was before the ban was eased, while Kosovo has been rewarded by now representing itself independently within CEFTA.

"This is a paradox. Kosovo was rewarded for a decision it made a year ago, which was directly contrary to CEFTA, and only partially lifted it after a year. Another issue is the narrative promoted over the years, primarily by the Kosovo government and top officials, and the ongoing campaign against Serbian products. There have even been protests in Pristina, with students literally calling for a boycott of Serbian goods, which is also in complete opposition to the CEFTA agreement," Savic said.

What he finds most scandalous is that the decision to ban Serbian goods was verbal, and to this day, no official document exists regarding either the implementation or the lifting of the ban.

"Media report that the lines at Merdare are massive, and that goods are still not passing through. According to drivers, trucks are waiting for 4 or 5 days. A huge problem is that the lifting of the ban only applies to the Merdare crossing. It has been some time since that decision, yet there is still no flow at other crossings. Allegedly, scanners from Germany are being awaited, while Kosovo has been rewarded by being allowed to represent itself independently within CEFTA," Savic concluded.