Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has called on Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić to let pass trucks with goods from Kosovo that have reportedly been blocked at the Serbian customs since March 30.
Rama, who tweeted in Serbian and Albanian languages, urged Vučić to join forces with Western Balkans leaders, and maintain open Green Lines for the transport of goods during the coronavirus outbreak.
@avucic Since 24 hours, trucks loaded with goods from Kosovo are blocked at the Serbian border! The Green Line in the region cannot be dependent on each country’s rules but only to one simple rule: We have to win this war altogether by helping each-other, not the enemy that knows no borders!
@avucic It is only through solidarity and compassion without borders between people who have been attacked by a vicious enemy that we can win! Please, Mr. President, raise the boom barrier for the trucks, and let’s make our region a splendid example of the much needed solidarity for winning this was.
@avucic Prej 24h kamionët me mallra nga Kosova janë bllokuar në kufirin e Serbisë! #LinjaeGjelbërt në rajon s'mund t'i nënshtrohet rregullave të çdo vendi, po veç një rregulli të thjeshtë: Këtë luftë që duhet ta fitojmë së bashku duke ndihmuar njëri-tjetrin jo armikun e pakufi!
— Edi Rama (@ediramaal) March 31, 2020
Serbia has reportedly blocked several trucks from Kosovo one day before the expected decision by Kosovo’s government to lift tariffs on Serbian goods and gradually introduce reciprocity measures for a temporary period until June 15. The decision will be reassessed at that time, in light of Serbia’s decision regarding dropping or not non-tariff trade barriers with Kosovo and stopping its lobbying campaign against the country’s international recognition.
Serbia and Kosovo are the only two Western Balkan countries that have not officially adopted a recent proposal by CEFTA Secretariat for establishing green lanes in the region, open priority routes for transport of goods during the coronavirus epidemic, according to a European Commission official.
In a tweet, Genoveva Ruiz Calavera, Director for WB at the EC, congratulated Albania for joining the initiative and urged Serbia and Kosovo to do the same soon.
Congratulations to 🇦🇱, the fourth Government to have adopted the proposal on “green lanes”. There is now critical mass to implement it👏!!!Look forward Serbia and Kosovo to join soon! @LSorecaEU @eu_near, @EUWB6_TCT @CEFTA_ @rccint https://t.co/YS09K9RVml
— Genoveva Ruiz Calavera (@CalaveraRuiz) April 1, 2020
A senior official from Kosovo’s ministry of foreign affairs, confirmed that trucks were blocked at the Serbian border. MF Glauk Konjufca’s chief of cabinet Kreshnik Ahmeti said he hoped Serbia will soon lift these non-tariff barriers and take a step toward normalization of relations.
RKS is not putting up #barriers. On the contrary, it has lifted the 100% tariff. Furthermore it has not implemented full reciprocity immediately either, as a sign of good will towards SRB as well as to give them enough time to put down their own barriers towards RKS. 2/3
— Kreshnik Ahmeti (@Kreshnnik) April 1, 2020
Unlike previous leaders of their countries, Rama and Vučić have established a good personal and official relationship. Last year, they led an initiative to establish a free trade zone in the region, dubbed the mini-Schengen initiative, the fate of which has remained unclear, mainly due to Kosovo’s refusal to participate in it.
