Hovenier: The decision on the dinar could escalate ethnic tensions in Kosovo

2024-02-01 18:37:37, Kosova & Bota CNA

American Ambassador to Kosovo Jeff Hovenier said on Thursday that the United States opposes the entry into force of the Central Bank's decision to use currencies without being fully prepared while expressing concern that this could lead to new tensions in Kosovo.

"We think that this issue really deserves a more careful examination, but also a discussion within the dialogue mediated by the European Union. We are concerned that it will potentially escalate ethnic tensions and prove problematic for the daily life of a number of Kosovo citizens", said the American ambassador after a meeting with the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti.

The decision that entered into force on February 1 means the removal from use of the Serbian dinar, which is still used in areas inhabited by Serbs, especially in the north of Kosovo.

The regulation provoked the angry reaction of Belgrade and the political representatives of the Serbs in Kosovo, who estimate that this decision endangers the survival of the Serbian community, but also the concerns of Western diplomats that it could incite new tensions.

The Government of Kosovo said on Wednesday that the implementation of the regulation will be done through a facilitated transitional period, but without giving details about the time frame.

"So we hope that the government will find a way to implement what was said by Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi, which means to have some kind of transitional period and in which there is a rhythm. And some recognition of the challenges in the country before it is fully implemented," said Ambassador Jeff Hovenier, underlining that some Serbian citizens will face many challenges in the benefits they receive.

"I think there will be tensions from people because they will feel cut off from a benefit they rely on. Nobody wants that. We are concerned about individuals and their lives," said the American ambassador.

The European Union also called on Kosovo on Thursday to offer a sufficiently long transitional period for the implementation of the decision of the Central Bank which determines that the euro is the only currency that can be used for payments.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, said that the communication channels between the Central Bank of Kosovo and that of Serbia should be opened to facilitate this process.

The European Union and diplomats in Pristina agree that the regulation "aims to increase financial transparency, ensure financial stability and fight money laundering and counterfeiting", but have asked for a delay in implementation "until issues are resolved that ensure no one is harmed". .

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic discussed on Wednesday night with the ambassadors of the main Western countries about this issue, but no details were given about the discussions.

The European Union and the United States are putting pressure on Kosovo and Serbia to implement the agreement on the normalization of relations that the parties agreed on almost a year ago in Brussels and Ohrid./ VOA