EU diplomacy chief speaks with Vucic, and then Thaci about dialogue: Announces visit to Belgrade

EU policy chief Josep Borrell spoke with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic today about the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Tanjug has learned.

According to a statement from the President's Office for Cooperation with the Media, during the conversation, Vucic said that Serbia, in accordance with its regional policy of peace and stability, is ready to continue the dialogue if Pristina abolishes the unjustified and irresponsible unilateral measure of establishing taxes on goods from central Serbia, which, in addition to the Serbian economy, threatens the daily lives of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

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He stressed that these taxes are contrary to all European rules on free movement of goods, as well as to the obligations that Pristina has assumed in the framework of regional cooperation.

In this regard, he stressed the importance of European institutions and EU member states maintaining their position that it is necessary for the Pristina authorities to abolish taxes on goods from central Serbia in order to continue the dialogue.

Photo: Profimedia

EU High Representative Borrell welcomed Serbia's commitment to preserving regional stability.

The two interlocutors also discussed the next steps on Serbia's European path. President Vucic said that Serbia is continuing the reform process with the aim of joining the European Union and expects EU's clear strategic plan for enlargement and a timeframe for membership - that is, a clear answer about its future in the European Union.

According to the statement, Vucic congratulated Borrell once again on his appointment to that responsible position and wished him success in his work.

Tanjug said it learned that Borrell also spoke with Hashim Thaci.

The Brussels official has assumed the role of chief mediator in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue when he took over from Federica Mogherini as EU's foreign policy chief.

He has repeatedly emphasized that solving the Kosovo issue would be one of his priorities.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)