TIRANA, Nov. 25 – Macedonia has lifted a ban on Albanian fresh vegetables after warnings of reciprocity measures by Albanian authorities in a repeated blockade by Macedonian authorities which has sparked a trade war between the two neighboring countries.
“The next time there will be direct and unwarned reciprocity. Such behavior will not always be accompanied by patient waiting and warning but immediate reciprocity as we are allowed by CEFTA (the Central European Free Trade Agreement),” Economy Minister Arben Ahmetaj has said.
The situation is reported to have caused huge damage to Albanian farmers and exporters due to claims by Macedonian authorities that Albanian fresh vegetables, especially tomatoes and leafy greens, had chemical contaminants and lengthy tests.
Experts describe the situation as absurd considering that Albania exports vegetables even to EU markets such as Germany, Bulgaria and Romania where they have encountered no problems.
The lack of dialogue and trade barriers are even more absurd considering the fact that the Macedonian economy ministry is led by Bekim Neziri, an ethnic Albanian representing more than a quarter of Macedonia’s Albanian population.
Speaking to reporters this week, minister Neziri said the trade conflict had been overcome and promised to undertake legal action facilitating agriculture exports to Macedonia.
Albania’s exports to Macedonia saw a considerable increase of 28 percent to 5.1 billion lek (€36.4 mln) in the first three quarters of this year while imports remained almost unchanged at 6 billion lek (€43 mln).
Back in 2014, Albania’s exports to Macedonia climbed to 5.3 billion lek (€37.8 mln) while imports slightly dropped to 8.3 billion lek (€59 mln), according to state statistical institute, INSTAT.
