The EU expects Kosovo and Serbia to reach a compromise on the dinar

2024-05-14 09:19:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The delegations of Kosovo and Serbia are meeting in Brussels on Wednesday (15.05.) to discuss the issue of the use of the Serbian dinar in Kosovo, with the hope of finding a temporary solution. The European Union expects the parties to be ready to reach a compromise. "The special representative for the dialogue has invited the chief negotiators to continue the discussions. They will meet on Wednesday in Brussels, the discussions will continue to find temporary durable solutions for those affected by the CBK decision. The EU expects both the parties show flexibility and willingness to reach a compromise", said the EU spokesman, Peter Stano.

"Attention is shifting from what is necessary"

Stano described the problem of the dinar as a distraction from the parties towards the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement for the normalization of relations. "With each meeting, we hope it will be the last one we deal with this issue. The attention is being shifted from what is necessary, the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement. We hope that the parties will behave in a European manner and reach a compromise agreement", says Stano.

On May 12, the transitional period of the Central Bank has passed and from Sunday, the euro is the only currency for transactions in Kosovo. For those who use the dinar, there will be punitive measures, and according to Prime Minister Albin Kurti, "this is aimed at legality, transparency, not punishment".

"The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo has clarified that the goal is legality, transparency and not punishment and punishment. They are the ones who are higher than before us and lead in this process of transition as smooth as possible to the transition as a means of payment. The CBK regulation is not to go against the dinar, but for the euro as the only means of payment in Kosovo", said Kurti.

The Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK) announced that it has already completed the three-month transitional period for what was called, "facilitated implementation of the regulation on cash operations". This decision prompted the reaction of Serbia, which says that it provides aid to worth of millions of euros for the Serbs in Kosovo. The CBK said that after the end of the transitional period it has licensed eight branches of financial institutions in the municipalities with a Serbian majority, in Leposaviq, Zveçan, Graçanicë, Shtërpcë and one in Shillovë of Gjilan. 38 ATMs or similar financial self-service devices. /DW