The Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn urged all Western Balkan countries on Wednesday to open their borders to an undisturbed flow of goods.
“I call upon all Western Balkan countries to act responsibly towards migrants and particularly to keep their borders open,“ Hahn told the press prior to the session of EC College of Commissioners on Wednesday, not mentioning Serbia and Croatia’s case specifically.
Hahn said that closing of border crossings for cargo transport has direct economic consequences for the entire region.
When asked to comment on Serbia-Croatia “customs war,“ Hahn said that European Commission was “trying to arbitrate,“ Belgrade media report.
He noted that he had a telephone conversation with both Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic on Tuesday as well as with Serbian Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Aleksandar Vulin during his visit to Brussels.
“I know it is not easy but at the moment, a verbal disarmament is needed, especially when it comes to statements and announcements because harsh words do not help,“ he said.
Hahn said that the EU was ready to help the countries in the region, primarily Serbia and Macedonia, deal with the refugee crisis.
Johannes Hahn said that he would visit Belgrade on Friday and tour refugee camps with Prime Minister Vucic.
