Kosovo PM’s partner threatens with Cabinet collapse

PRISTINA, Kosovo – Kosovo’s main governing partner has threatened to withdraw its support from the country’s prime minister if he perseveres with a 100-per cent tariff on goods from Serbia.

Following pressure from Washington to suspend the tariff, Kadri Veseli, leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, said Monday that “no government could endanger sacred ties with the U.S.”

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who is from the Alliance for Kosovo’s Future Party, has resisted suspending the tariff, saying that it will only be lifted when Belgrade recognizes Kosovo’s sovereignty and stops preventing it from joining international organizations.

Serbia says it will not take part in European Union-facilitated discussions with Kosovo, which began in 2011, until the tariff is revoked.

Serbia doesn’t accept Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence.