Ramush Haradinaj, Kosovo's outgoing Prime Minister, said on Wednesday he was summoned by the Special Court in The Hague for political reasons and that he was under pressure because his Government had introduced the 100 percent import tariffs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and refused to lift them despite the international community demands, the Beta news agency reported.

The Special Prosecution and Court were established to investigate alleged war crimes during the 1998-1999 armed conflict with Belgarde army and police, and some crimes two years after the end of the war.

Haradinaj added that lifting the taxes “would be tragic.” “I hope that the next Government won't abolish the tariffs because that would bring Serbia's goods back to Kosovo.”

“That's what (Serbian President Aleksandar) Vucic, who is blocking and threatening Kosovo, has demanded,” Haradinaj told the Kosovo KTV.

He added it would be surprising if the next Government lifted the taxes.”It's now easier for them since the international community has stopped asking for that.”

“The taxes should not be abolished since Serbia hasn't changed its attitude,” Haradinaj said.

He sent a message to leading candidates for the new prime minister that they should not make that mistake.

“If they did that, I think it would be a tragic act.”