US Embassy in Pristina: Kosovo and Serbia should take actions that promote free flow of goods

The ban on Serbian product imports to Kosovo will have been in effect for two months by August 14th, and in this regard, the spokesperson for the United States Embassy in Pristina stated to Kosovo Online that, since both Kosovo and Serbia were aspiring to European integration, they should undertake actions "that further promote the free flow of goods across their borders, rather than actions that hinder it."

"As we've previously stated, we support initiatives that enable the free movement of goods, services, and people while strengthening the rule of law throughout the region. Since both Kosovo and Serbia are aspiring to European integration, both countries should take actions that further promote the free flow of goods across their borders, rather than actions that hinder it," the US Embassy spokesperson's response to our portal reads.

The Embassy also recalled the statement of the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, following a phone conversation with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on June 26th, urging both Kosovo and Serbia to avoid actions that could be interpreted as escalatory and to return to the dialogue led by the European Union immediately.

"As we've been saying for some time, and as Secretary Blinken said after his conversation with Prime Minister Kurti on June 26th, we call on both Kosovo and Serbia to de-escalate tensions, to avoid actions that could be seen as escalating, and to return immediately to the dialogue led by the EU. We expect Kosovo and Serbia to implement all their obligations from the Ohrid Agreement fully," it is stated in response to our question about the US stance and whether the ban on Serbian products would negatively affect the continuation of the expected political dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, given that it has caused significant difficulties for Serbs in Kosovo.

The decision of the Kosovo Government to ban Serbian product imports began to be enforced on June 14th, although it was not officially announced beforehand. Government representatives later explained in the following days that it was introduced for "security reasons." The initial decision applied to the prohibition of trucks with Serbian license plates entering Kosovo, but it was subsequently changed to apply only to trucks carrying goods originating from Serbia.

This measure was introduced on the same day that the Serbian Police arrested three Kosovo police officers in central Serbia. Meanwhile, on June 26th, Kosovo police officers were released from detention in Serbia after their indictment was confirmed by the Court in Kraljevo and returned to Kosovo on the same day.