Kosovo Accuses Djuric of Busting Russia Trade Sanctions

The head of the Serbian government's Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric, has angered the Kosovo government by opening three gas selling points for the Serbian company Nis Petrol in Serb-run northern Kosovo in North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok and Zvecan.

Officials have accused him of entering the country without permission and of breaking the Kosovo government's clear embargo on trade with Russia.

Russia's energy giant Gazprom Neft, which is prominent on the black list drawn up by Kosovo government, is the main shareholder of NIS , owning 56 per cent of the company' shares.

The Kosovo government imposed sanctions against Russia on 17 September 2014 in harmony with the EU, over Russia's intervention in Ukraine.

The decision listed a number of companies and persons that were specifically banned from doing business in Kosovo or had their assets blocked. Gazprom Neft was among them.

The opening of the Nis Petrol sales points in northern Kosovo drew a sharp reaction from the government, which has asked the EU to help close them, as its de-facto control over this part of Kosovo is minimal.

"We must have maximum vigilance to stop any Russian influence in Kosovo because it can be dangerous to the national security of our Euro-Atlantic state and with geostrategic risks for Kosovo and the region. This issue should be addressed by our state institutions in the context of Russia's dangerous ambitions," Kosovo's Minister of Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, said.

Lulzim Krasniqi, an adviser to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, told BIRN that the sanctions imposed on Russia must also apply to Nis Petrol.

"The Kosovo government will be attentive in implementing its decisions regarding economic sanctions against Russia in this case as well,"...