If there are no solutions for the issue made by the Macedonian Government two weeks ago by introducing non-tariff barriers for the export of flour from Serbia to Macedonia, Serbia will immediately start with countermeasures. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is nothing to achieve with non-tariff barriers. It everybody\u2019s loss. Businessmen suffer, as well as our bilateral relations\u201d, says Deputy Prime Minister Ljaji\u0107 for the TANJUG.<\/p>\n
He says that if they don\u2019t make an agreement in tomorrow\u2019s meeting in Skopje with the Minister of Agriculture of Macedonia Ljup\u010do Nikolovski, that would be the end of negotiations.<\/p>\n
Right after that meeting, he says, Serbia will start to apply the prepared set of measures. <\/p>\n
Mr Ljaji\u0107 says that the situation is \u201crather simple\u201d and it is the \u201cmillers\u2019 lobby\u201d in Macedonia which is to be blamed for the current Belgrade-Skopje situation. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have three big millers having a great influence on all governments in Macedonia, to put pressure on them to make there barriers introduced, as long as they don\u2019t sell their own flour\u201d, says minister, explaining that Macedonia definitely has to import flour from other countries since they don\u2019t have enough flour production.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe consult with the representatives of the Macedonian government and their Ministry of Agriculture on daily basis. If tomorrow in Skopje we fail to find the solution, we are going to start immediately with the application of countermeasures ready and announced to all the line services\u201d, says Mr Ljaji\u0107.<\/p>\n
To the question which measures will be introduced by Serbian side, Mr Ljaji\u0107 says that first set of measures will be the photo sanitary and veterinary inspection of the goods coming from Macedonia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the right to do that in line with the rules of the World Trade Organisation, without violating the CEFTA Agreement\u201d, minister made it precise. <\/p>\n
Mr Ljaji\u0107 reminds that the ban to flour import from Serbia is the 13th non-tariff barrier introduced by the Macedonians in the past eight years. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe did nothing if next year we face a similar issue, since the Macedonian side was only creative in searching for the modality of the non-tariff barrier, and we want to ensure the seamless flow of goods in both directions, and increase the tr<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If there are no solutions for the issue made by the Macedonian Government two weeks ago by introducing non-tariff barriers for the export of flour from Serbia to Macedonia, Serbia will immediately start with countermeasures. \u201cThere is nothing to achieve … Continue reading