Government in Belgrade considers launching arbitration procedure because of Pristina taxes

The government in Belgrade is considering launching arbitration procedure because of the additional tariffs on Serbian products that Pristina authorities introduced last November and thus violated the CEFTA agreement, writes Vecernje Novosti daily.

As the daily reports, this option has been considered since the February 25 when the deadline of 90 days since Serbia sent sent a formal request to the Secretariat of CEFTA for direct consultations within the joint committee expired.

When this request was sent, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic announced that Serbia would initiate proceedings before the Arbitral Tribunal unless the problem is resolved within the following three months, the daily reminds.

Beside domestic legal experts, foreign experts were consulted as well so that Belgrade, in case it came to the arbitration procedure, would prepare its strategy accordingly, the daily writes.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Monday that Serbian Government was deliberating over hiring a law firm in case it launched the arbitration procedure for Pristina's violation of the CEFTA agreement.

So far the details of the possible request for arbitration are not familiar nor is it known whether it would contain the indemnity clause for damages that occurred after introducing additional taxes, Novosti writes.

The daily adds that there's also the question whether the Government in Belgrade would act alone on this or join forces with Bosnia and Herzegovina since the country, as a CEFTA member, has also been impacted by Pristina's actions.

Cefta Secretariat Brussels

Central European Free Trade Agreement

taxes on Serbian products

Pristina taxes

reaction to Pristina measures