A new round of dialogue between the chief negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia is scheduled

2024-03-14 19:18:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

A new round of dialogue between the chief negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia is

On March 19, the European Union called a dialogue meeting for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia at the level of chief negotiators.

Radio Free Europe learns from its diplomatic sources that in this meeting it is expected to discuss the sequencing plan for the implementation of the Agreement on the path towards the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia on other issues, with the possibility of including in the discussions the issue of Serbian dinar.

This meeting was also confirmed by the envoy of the United States for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar. After a meeting with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, the American emissary said that he expects the Government of Kosovo to be flexible in this meeting.

Kosovo's chief negotiator is Besnik Bislimi, while Serbia's is Petar Petkovic.

On the dinar issue, Kosovo and Serbia discussed in Brussels at the end of February. But in that meeting, where Kosovo was represented by the governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo, Ahmet Ismaili, there was no result.

On February 1, a CBK regulation entered into force, which foresees the euro as the only currency for payments in Kosovo, prohibiting the use of the Serbian dinar.

The US and the EU have criticized this decision, saying that it was taken without prior consultation and without considering the negative impacts on the Serbian population in Kosovo.

Washington has asked Kosovo to postpone the implementation of the decision, while the EU is demanding that this issue be resolved within the dialogue that it mediates.

Kosovo has said that the dinar issue is technical and should not be included in the political dialogue for the normalization of relations. Meanwhile, Serbia seeks a political solution to this issue.

Meeting with Kurti/Escobar: He promised me that he will consider the dinar proposals
March 14, 18:35

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has said that the decision of the CBK will not be reversed, but after the meeting on Thursday, Escobar said that the Kosovar Prime Minister has promised him that he will consider some of his proposals related to this issue.

The Serbian state allocates millions of euros to Serbs in Kosovo after paying them in dinars - through a parallel system - salaries, pensions and additional assistance.

Meanwhile, regarding the Agreement on the road to normalization - which was reached last year - the EU has said that the parties have not started to implement it. Kosovo accuses Serbia of obstructing this agreement.

This agreement, of 11 articles, among other things, foresees a level of self-management for the Serbian community in Kosovo and mutual recognition of the state symbols, while asking Pristina and Belgrade to also implement all previous agreements reached during dialogue./ REL