Shahini: The decision to lift security measures on Serbian products is the first step toward normalization

The decision to lift the security measure on Serbian products at the Merdare crossing is the first step toward normalization in terms of trade and movement of goods and capital with Serbia, the president of the Kosovo Business Alliance, Agim Shahini, stated for Kosovo Online.

Shahini emphasized that it is still unclear what Kosovo will gain in return.

"Kosovo has lifted the security measure, but the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Kosovo are still in place. We do not yet have precise information on what Kosovo has gained from this, but it could have gained the removal of the footnote, or the removal of the ban on the movement of citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina so that travel could be visa-free and with just an ID card, as we travel to Serbia. It could have also got the lifting of the sanctions against Kosovo that have been in place for over a year," Shahini said.

He stressed that Kosovo had made this decision because of significant pressure.

"There was significant pressure on the Kosovo government to lift this security measure for Serbian products, even though, under these circumstances, we still imported more than 200 million euros worth of goods from Serbia. I expect Kosovo to be criticized at the Berlin conference, but I also expect Kosovo to continue to be a member of CEFTA, the Berlin Process, and other processes within the integration framework with the other Western Balkan countries," Shahini noted.

He added that Serbian producers were the ones who had lost the most due to the blockade of Serbian products, which had been in effect for more than a year.

"Serbs living in Kosovo who did not have access to Serbian products lost out, as did other citizens who were accustomed to buying Serbian goods. We also imported these goods from other countries, and now it will be a big challenge for Serbian products to regain the same sales trend in the Kosovo market. Serbian producers will need to invest a lot of money in marketing in Kosovo, offer competitive prices, and through such efforts, regain their presence in the market," Shahini emphasized.

When asked whether he expects the same measure to be applied at other crossings, he pointed out that this will likely happen in the future.

"The Berlin Process conference will take place on October 14, and I expect Kosovo to lift the measure. Physical inspections can be conducted, and scanners are good for all border crossings. This is a faster inspection process that should be implemented at every border crossing between Kosovo and all other countries," Shahini concluded.