Shahini: All crossings should be open for goods from Serbia, losses on both sides

The President of the Kosovo Business Alliance, Agim Shahini, told Kosovo Online that all crossings should be opened for the passage of goods coming from Serbia to Kosovo, as doing so would not endanger either Kosovo's or Serbia's economy, instead, it would simply facilitate the movement of goods, capital, and people.

He believes that the opening of only the Merdare crossing, according to the Kosovo Government’s decision from October 7 last year, was a political move taken by Kosovo against Serbia due to past events.

The opening of other crossings is pending the installation of customs scanners, and Shahini says that the scanners are "still somewhere on the way."

"They started moving months ago, but they still haven’t arrived. Scanners are good for everyone, but a lack of scanners shouldn’t be used as an excuse to keep all border crossings with Serbia closed, especially since goods come not only from Serbia but from all over the world through Serbia," he emphasized.

At Merdare, he notes, there are long lines, congestion, and long waits.

"Every truck has to wait at least 48 hours. These drivers have to sleep there, they have no facilities for bathing, and they incur high costs. When a truck is idling, it burns fuel and can't earn, it is losing money. The losses on both sides amount to several million," Shahini said.

According to him, Kosovo is under daily pressure because of this political decision, from the European Union, from businesspeople, importers, transporters... He adds that there is no more time for Kosovo to threaten Serbia or for Serbia to threaten Kosovo.

"It Is time to help each other, to open the borders, to extend a hand to one another, to acknowledge that we can't live in isolation, and we can't be one against all, neither Kosovo nor Serbia. Now is the time to open the borders and unite the economy across the entire Balkans," Shahini said.