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EU: Closing the branches of the Serbian bank in the north of Kosovo, against the spirit of normalization

2024-05-21 16:23:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

EU: Closing the branches of the Serbian bank in the north of Kosovo, against the

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The European Union expressed concern on Tuesday about the closure of six units of the "Postal Savings Bank" of Serbia in the north of Kosovo, assessing this action against the spirit of normalizing relations with Serbia.

In a press release, the bloc said that the uncoordinated actions of one of the parties put at risk the implementation of the normalization agreement as well as "endanger the ongoing talks for a temporary solution for the persons negatively affected by the regulation of the Central Bank of Kosovo on payments with cash".

"Monday's operation proves again that the Kosovo authorities give priority to unilateral and uncoordinated actions more than cooperation with friends and allies", the announcement states, in which it is emphasized that the status of the structures and services supported by Serbia "is foreseen to be resolved in the dialogue facilitated by the EU as well as in connection with the establishment of the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority".

Banka Postare Kursimore is a financial institution that distributed Belgrade payments to Serbian citizens in Kosovo. The police said that during yesterday's operation they confiscated "around one million and 600 thousand euros, 74 million and 700 thousand dinars, 19 thousand and 500 francs, 13 thousand and 800 American dollars, 40 Australian dollars as well as other documents and evidence".

The Minister of Finance of Kosovo, Hekuran Murati, said on Tuesday that the operation was carried out under the suspicion that the branches of the Postal Savings Bank were operating without a license.

"As for the sums that were seized during the raid, I consider that they belong to a judicial process now, since the prosecutor has issued a warrant for the raid. I believe they first serve as evidence and then it can be derived how to proceed further from a real judicial process that the prosecutor has already set in motion and the judiciary would have to treat it as a case and give a relevant epilogue regarding the violations legal documents that have been found", he said.

Postare Kursimore Bank said in a response that the funds of people who have accounts in this institution are safe and that all employees of the Bank remain in employment.

"Despite the temporary interruption of the operation of the Regional Center in Mitrovica, the Bank's customers can perform all banking services in the nearest branches at the border crossings... as well as in the rest of the bank's business network", it is stated in notice.

This institution did not respond to VOA's request to comment on the allegations of illegal activity.

Even the US Department of State expressed disappointment about yesterday's operation by the Kosovo police, saying that "this action was not coordinated with international partners" and that it "escalates tensions".

Yesterday's police operation prompted the reaction of other diplomats in Pristina as well as the mission in Kosovo of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. This mission said on Tuesday that it is following with increased concern the actions of the police in the north, underlining that it is essential for both sides to engage in a constructive way to resolve this issue within the framework of dialogue and to avoid destabilizing actions.

"As for the reaction, I am not aware of the details, however every action is based on legality and the extent of legality in every corner of the country", said Mr. Murati.

The NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo said in a press release that it was notified on Monday shortly before the start of the operation in the north.

"KFOR expects timely consultations for any actions of the Kosovo Police or the Kosovo Security Force that may affect regional security," the announcement states.

Monday's operation takes place almost four months after the entry into force of the regulation of the Central Bank of Kosovo according to which the euro is the only currency that can be used for cash payments in Kosovo.

Kosovo and Serbia had agreed to talk in Brussels with the facilitation of the European Union to find a solution to the issue of payments, but without success even after seven meetings.

The European Union today called on both sides to return to the negotiating table and agree to the latest compromise proposal presented by the European envoy for the talks, Miroslav Lajcak./ VOA