Abolishing "reciprocity measures" is first major test for government of Avdulah Hoti

Marko Djuric told the RTS morning program that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and Belgrade demand that taxes and all other anti-civilization measures be abolished immediately

The director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Marko Djuric, has told RTS that the first big test for the new government in Pristina, led by Avdulah Hoti, will be the decision to abolish taxes (on Serbian goods) and the so-called "reciprocity measures."

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Marko Djuric told the RTS morning program that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and Belgrade demand that taxes and all other anti-civilization measures be abolished immediately.

"Whether that will happen next week will actually be the first big test for the government of Avdulah Hoti," says Djuric.

He pointed out that it is now clear how important it is that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija are united and gathered around the Serb List.

"That means that it has the kingmaker role and a decisive one in the parliament in many things. If we did not have a united Serb List the law on religious communities would have pass smoothly in the Pristina parliament, which would mean the seizure of (Serbian Orthodox monasteries) Gracanica, Decani and everything else," Djuric added.

He stressed that it is certain that the Serb List will have a difficult task, because he does not believe that there are significant differences among Albanian representatives when it comes to their attitude towards Belgrade.

"I expect the Serb List to be in a position to fight more actively to prevent pressure, barricades, blockades - and everyday life of our people depends on that," said Djuric.

Ahead of the arrival of EU's special envoy Miroslav Lajcek in Belgrade and Pristina, information appeared that certain concessions would be asked from both sides - from Belgrade, to stop the campaign for withdrawal of recognitions of Kosovo - but Djuric says that is fake news.

"I would very much like to know who is the source of that fake news and I cannot rule out that this is an attempt of direct foreign meddling in our elections," said Djuric.

Asked whether he expects Richard Grenell, after being relieved of all other duties, to dedicate himself more to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Djuric said that he does expect that.

"Although serious pressure and challenges await us in the coming months when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija, we should be aware that everything depends on who and how firmly defends our position and that is why it's important to have people in Belgrade who are ready and able to defend our interests in a firm and decisive way," concluded Djuric.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)