Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, said in Helsinki on Friday that a positive outcome of the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue on the normalisation of relations was a key to the European perspective of the whole Western Balkans, the Srna news agency reported.

He reiterated the call on Pristina to revoke the decision on the 100 percent import taxes on goods from Serbia and Bosnia that had been in force since last November but also told Belgrade it should stop the world-wide campaign for the withdrawal of Kosovo’s independence recognition.

“Both sides should take steps toward each other. I think we can find a solution and that is not impossible,” Hahn said, ahead of the EU and Western Balkans foreign ministers’ meeting in Finland.

He added that „a solution, i.e., a positive outcome of the dialogue is almost the decisive element for the European perspective of the whole region. The taxes must be lifted because they are against the EU‘s spirit. When it‘s about the common market, no tariffs and customs exist.

“That has to be settled,” Hahn said.

The Commissioner said he expected the things to become more precise after Kosovo‘s early election on October 6.