EU calls on Kosovo to act for regional cooperation

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – European Union on Monday called on Kosovo to &quot;remove barriers for regional cooperation&quot; as the country decided to increase customs duties for imports from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.</p> <p>In a Twitter post, Johannes Hahn, the European commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, said he has discussed with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Kosovo’s decision.</p> <p>He noted that the decision is not in line with the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and the EU Partnership and Stability Agreement.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Vucic warned that the Kosovo authorities' decision could lead to destabilization of the entire region.</p> <p>Last month, the Kosovo parliament passed a bill to increase customs duties to 100 percent on imports from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the countries in the region which do not recognize Kosovo's independence.</p> <p>Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but Belgrade insists the country remains part of Serbia. Since then, tensions have remained between Kosovo’s ethnic-Albanian majority and a small Serb minority in the north.</p> <p>It is recognized by over 100 countries, including the U.S., Britain, France, Germany and Turkey.</p> <p>Serbia, Russia and China are among the countries which have not yet recognized Kosovo’s independence.