DDD
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2012
- Messages
- 12,351
- Reaction score
- 1,918
- Location
- Republic of Dardania
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Undisclosed
Kosovo has slapped 100% customs tariffs on Serbian imports, blaming the government in Belgrade for its latest failed bid to join international police organisation Interpol.
Tensions between the two neighbours spilled over on 6 November, when Kosovo imposed an additional 10% customs tariff on Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, for conducting an "aggressive campaign".
Kosovo was angered by the decision of a succession of small states to reverse their recognition of its independence, and accused Belgrade of orchestrating the moves.
More than 110 nations do recognise the majority-Albanian republic, but Russia and some EU member states including Spain and Greece do not.
After Interpol's general assembly rejected Kosovo's third bid for membership in three years on Tuesday, Kosovo complained of a "fierce campaign" conducted by Serbia against the idea of normalising relations with its former province. Kosovo had spent a reported €1.2m lobbying for Interpol membership.
Serbian officials were thought to be concerned that once a part of the police organisation, Kosovo would start seeking the arrest of commanders suspected of war crimes during the 1998-99 war.
Kosovo hit back on Wednesday, hiking the tariffs to 100% for Bosnia as well as Serbia. Authorities were also told to remove some products from shelves if they did not refer to the Republic of Kosovo.
Serbia is continuing its aggressive campaign against Kosovo in the int’l stage. It is also undermining the normalisation process. To defend our vital interest, Government of Kosovo has decided today to increase the customs tariff to 100%. Further measures to be announced soon!
It seems Serbia has stagnated back into its 1999 mentality. While negotiations for relation normalisation between Dardania and Serbia were occurring with the EU, the Serbian government has hypocritically, relentlessly, and openly continued with its aggressive political campaign against our interests, culminating in our absence in the interpol now.
What Serbia needs to realise is that this is a working independent country. Further, they should realise that should Serbia misbehave, they can and will be "bitchslapped back to Russia!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HULy52ah2_I
Seriously though, the intended message is quite meaningful: Do not deficate where you eat.