Croatia's Raised Import Tax Angers Neighbours

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia sent a joint letter to the European Commission on Wednesday, complaining about Croatia's imposition of so-called non-tariff barriers which hamper their exports of agricultural products to the country.

Croatia this week expanded the list of fruits and vegetables from non-EU countries that must undergo phytosanitary checks at the border and has set new fees for exporters that are 22 times more expensive than the previous ones.

According to the new tax rates, a certificate of compliance with Croatian market standards will now cost 270 euros instead of 12 euros.

This is expected to primarily affect Serbia, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the three main exporters of fruits and vegetables to Croatia that will now undergo additional inspections.

Croatia's neighbours complained to Brussels that the move was "one-sided" and that it would directly affect the long-term trade agreements that their exporters have with Croatian companies.

They also complained that this puts them, as countries who are aspiring EU members, "in an unequal position", adding that Croatia's move goes against the principles of the Stabilization and Association Agreements they have signed with the EU, of which Croatia is a member.

The Croatian Agriculture Ministry previously insisted that its main aim was to protect customers.

The Croatian ministry explained in a press statement that the fees for inspections were raised because "more effective controls at the borderline require more workload and the greater involvement of border inspectors".

Some countries have however already hinted at the possibility of imposing counter-measures against Croatia....