Albin Kurti agrees: Transitional period for the Serbian dinar

2024-02-07 09:37:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Albin Kurti

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, took into account the concerns and criticisms of the international community and agreed as he said that "a transitional period is necessary to clarify and avoid ambiguities", about the regulation of the Central Bank, which prohibits the use of the Serbian dinar in Kosovo In a statement to the media, Prime Minister Kurti said that "he understands that the way this matter was communicated could have been clearer, to avoid confusion".

"The way it was communicated could have been clearer"

"We understand that the way this issue was communicated could have been clearer to avoid confusion. Although the regulation went into effect on February 1, we understand that a transition period is necessary. During this month, we will ensure to give all the information and all the necessary help to make this transition as easy as possible". Kurti further said in a written statement that "from now on, we also pledge to promote communication campaigns that address these issues with the sensitivity they deserve."

On February 1, a decision of the Central Bank of Kosovo entered into force, which determines that the euro is the only currency that can be used for ready payments in Kosovo. This decision provoked a strong reaction from Serbia, who, regarding the CBK decision, said that "the purpose is to persecute the Kosovo Serbs", who receive salaries and pensions from Serbia in dinars.

Kurti: "The CBK regulation is not against the Serbian dinar"

Prime Minister Kurti, for his part, rejects these claims, repeating that "the CBK regulation for cash operations is not against the Serbian dinar".

"Change always brings difficulties, even if the changes strengthen democracy. But a period of transition should never be misinterpreted as an attack or deepening division. And the brief uncertainty encountered during this period should not be exploited for political gain. This period of change it becomes more difficult not through the voices of the Serbian community here, but through the incitement of fear, when we, in fact, should exercise prudence and calmness", said Kurti.

The United States and the European Union criticized Kosovo for approving the CBK regulation, without prior consultation, and insisted that Kosovo postpone the implementation of this decision. The American ambassador in Pristina, Jeff Hovenier, who was the most vocal on this issue, said that "we have deep concerns about the way this regulation is being implemented, as we believe it does not take into account some of the concerns of the communities".

The international authorities said that the implementation of the decision of the Central Bank could trigger new tensions and according to the American ambassador, Jeff Hovenier, "the issue with the Serbian dinar has highlighted the urgency for the establishment of the Association of Municipalities with a Serbian Majority".

Since the post-war Kosovo Serbs have been using the Serbian dinar, through a parallel system, for salaries, pensions, social assistance, and other benefits. According to Lista Srpska, the largest party of Kosovo Serbs, the ban on the use of the Serbian dinar will affect nearly 100,000 Kosovo Serbs. /DW