March 5 (SeeNews) - The damages for Serbia from the recent increase of Kosovo's import tariffs on all goods produced in Serbia and Bosnia have reached 100 million euro ($113.3 million), Serbian trade minister Rasim Ljajic said.
"This practically means that 1 million euro per day is lost due to discriminatory fees imposed by Pristina on goods from Serbia, and the real loss is greater as before the introduction of these barriers, there was a trend for the increase of the sales of goods from central Serbia in Kosovo," Ljajic was quoted as saying in a press release issued by the trade ministry on Monday.
Third countries have increased exports to Kosovo, Ljajic added.
"Greece and Hungary exported almost twice more goods to Kosovo in January this year than in the same period last year. Slovenia increased exports to this market by 2.5 times, and North Macedonia and Croatia by a third."
On November 21, Kosovo government increased import tariffs on all goods produced in Serbia and Bosnia to 100% from 10% set earlier that month, saying the move aimed to protect Kosovo’s sovereignty and interests.
Kosovo, considered to be a potential candidate for EU membership by the European Commission, unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has so far has been recognised by more than half of the 193 UN member states. Serbia and Bosnia do not recognise the independence of Kosovo.
($ = 0.882718 euro)