The European Union has asked Kosovo to postpone the deadline for implementing the decision of the Central Bank of Kosovo, which stipulates that only the euro currency be used in cash transactions.<\/p>\n
EU spokesperson Peter Stano said that this issue should be resolved by the parties within the framework of the dialogue mediated by Brussels.<\/p>\n
Postponing the decision, scheduled to take effect on February 1st, according to the EU, would address the potential negative impact on the Serbian community in Kosovo.<\/p>\n
The bloc\u2019s request comes on the day when the special envoy for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k, is in Serbia, and the following day he will also visit Kosovo.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe EU is aware of the regulation of the Central Bank of Kosovo regarding the use of cash, aimed at reducing counterfeiting, maintaining financial stability, and increasing transparency in cash circulation in Kosovo. However, this raises concerns about the impact it will have on Serb-majority communities, especially schools and hospitals, for which no alternative process seems appropriate at this time. The regulation also directly affects the daily lives of the majority of Serbs in Kosovo, who receive payments and financial assistance from Serbia,\u201d said Stano.<\/p>\n
Stano said the EU calls \u201cfor a sufficient transitional period that would allow for the negotiation of an agreement\u201d regarding the decision of the Central Bank of Kosovo.<\/p>\n
This decision by the Central Bank is seen by Serbs in Kosovo as a decision that would prevent them from using the dinar.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the possible consequences of this regulation on the process of normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia, the EU expects the aspect related to the Serbian community in Kosovo to be addressed in the facilitated dialogue by the EU,\u201d Stano said.<\/p>\n
Stano also spoke about Laj\u010d\u00e1k\u2019s visit to Serbia and Kosovo. He said that these visits, to be held on January 29 and 30, are part of his daily work to help the parties advance in the process of normalizing their relations. Stano said that in Belgrade, Laj\u010d\u00e1k will meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107, while in Kosovo with \u201chis interlocutors\u201d.<\/p>\n
Earlier, the United States, as well as other QUINT states \u2013 Italy, Germany, France, and Britain \u2013 also requested the postponement of the implementation of the Central Bank of Kosovo regulation on cash transactions.<\/p>\n
After the decision was published by the Central Bank on January 17, the EU said it had sought clarification from Kosovo on this decision.<\/p>\n
The Serb List \u2013 the main party of Serbs in Kosovo, enjoying the support of Serbia \u2013 has said that the Central Bank\u2019s decision jeopardizes the survival of Serbs in Kosovo.<\/p>\n
In Kosovo, in all Serb-majority areas, the population uses the Serbian dinar to make payments, and those who work in Serbian institutions in Kosovo also receive salaries in dinars.<\/p>\n
Pensions are also paid in dinars, according to the Serbian system, as well as child allowances and social benefits.<\/p>\n
In commercial establishments, in areas where Serbs live in Kosovo, besides euros, the dinar is also used.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The European Union has asked Kosovo to postpone the deadline for implementing the decision of the Central Bank of Kosovo, which stipulates that only the euro currency be used in cash transactions. EU spokesperson Peter Stano said that this issue should be resolved by the parties within the framework of the dialogue mediated by Brussels. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":65265,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[165],"tags":[5351,5831,823,308,1851,300,1098,150,243,151,383,958,301,490],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n