Macedonia, Kosovo Defuse Trade Row

Macedonia has called off a ban on imports of wheat and flour from Kosovo.

Pristina has reciprocated the gesture by lifting its ban on all Macedonian imports also at midnight on September 14.

Reports said trucks and passenger vehicles were seen crossing the border freely early on September 15.

Macedonian officials said fees imposed on visitors from Kosovo and their vehicles were also repealed.

The trade dispute between the two Balkan neighbors flared in July, when Macedonia limited the import of wheat and flour from Kosovo. Pristina responded by banning Macedonian food imports.

Macedonia then implemented a fee on Kosovars and their vehicles -- 2 euros per person and 5 euros for vehicles -- entering its territory from Kosovo. The move prompted Pristina on September 9 to Impose a total embargo on all Macedonian products.

In 2012, the total exchange between Kosovo and Macedonia totaled $421 million, of which $392 million were Macedonian products exported to Kosovo.


Based on reporting by AFP and AP