Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has jumped to the defence of Kosovo, noting its right to enforce its own constitution in relation to new rules from the Central Bank, reinforcing that the euro is the only legal tender in the country.
Kosovo’s Central Bank recently published regulations stipulating that the euro is the only legal tender in the country and that any other foreign currency cannot be used within the country’s financial system except under specific circumstances.
The decisions irked Belgrade, which objected as some Kosovo Serbs continued to receive payments from Serbia in dinars and use the foreign currency locally. As a result, the European Union and several member states have condemned what they call a “unilateral” move from Kosovo that risks causing further flare-ups between the two countries.
“While we all agree that Kosova’s government should engage, coordinate, and work more closely with its key allies, let’s also not lose sight of Kosova’s undeniable right to enforce its constitution,” Rama wrote on X.
Kosovo’s constitution clearly states that “The Republic of Kosovo uses as legal tender one single currency” and that “The Central Banking Authority of Kosovo is independent,” meaning that calls to Kurti to change the decision are not viable.
Serbia unhappy over Kosovo enforcing euro-only currency policy, EU seeks answers
Kosovo will only accept the euro within its borders, a decision that has sparked fears of renewed flare-ups with Serbia as Serbs in the north of the country insist on using Serbian dinars, while the EU called on both sides to avoid any further escalation.
The country declared independence from Serbia in 2008, its constitution came into effect on the 15th June of the same year. The country adopted the euro even before this, on 1 January 2022, in cooperation with the European Central Bank and national banks throughout the eurozone.
The Kosovo government has pledged an undefined transitional period for Kosovo Serbs to get used to using euro instead of dinar. It maintains that the decisions are designed to crack down on money laundering and terrorism and urged Kosovo Serbs to open bank accounts and be part of the country’s legal system.
Kosovo’s Central Bank Governor, Ahmet Ismaili, told BIRN that no one is prohibited from keeping, converting, or accepting dinars as long as everything is done through legal routes.
Dinar and any other foreign currency can still be used in private peer-to-peer transactions, dedicated foreign currency bank accounts, and exchanges. Contrary to other media reports and rhetoric from Serbia, the dinar has not been banned.
The Commission also criticised Kosovo Police Special Operations to shut down several Serbia-run institutions in the municipalities of Dragash, Peje, Istog, and Kline, as well as the premises of the NGO Center for Peace and Tolerance in Pristina.
EU Commission spokesperson Peter Stano said the closure of the offices will impact the lives of Kosovo-Serb communities, restricting their access to social services. He said the status of the structures should be resolved through the dialogue with the establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities.
Kosovo authorities seized reams of documents they say contain false information, and several individuals were questioned.
Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Svecla confirmed the closures and said, “The era of lawlessness has ended, and the only institution of Serbia within the Republic of Kosovo will be its embassy in Pristina.”
The parallel structures, which, amongst other things, issued Serbian documents for those living in Kosovo, are illegal under the country’s constitution. Furthermore, Jeton Zulfaj, political advisor to Albin Kurti, said that Serbian institutions should have left with the Serbian army in 1999 “after committing ethnic cleansing and genocide, hundreds of massacres, and killing thousands of civilians, including 1,133 children.”
A number of critics called out the EU for double standards, including Alicia Kearns, chair of the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and Michael Roth, chair of the German Bundestag’s Committee for Foreign Affairs.
In his statement on X, Rama also noted that after Banjska, “it’s crucial to maintain focus and a sense of balance.”
He refers to the 24 September terrorist attack, which saw Serb paramilitaries attack police in the north of Kosovo, killing one officer. A shootout then ensued, killing three attackers and with authorities seizing an arsenal of weapons and ammunition.
Kosovo has called on the EU to hold Serbia accountable for their alleged involvement in the attack, insisting they provided significant evidence, while Stano says they are yet to receive the ‘final report’.
Pristina, EU at odds over Banjska ‘terrorist attack’ report
Four months after the EU-dubbed ‘terrorist attack’ by Serb militants in the north of Kosovo and pledges of possible measures against Serbia pending the outcome of Pristina’s investigation, the EU Commission insists on a ‘final report’ with authorities in Kosovo saying they have already provided them with evidence and proof of Belgrade’s involvement, calling on them for a response.
(Alice Taylor | Euractiv.com)
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Milanović, Plenković in new row over proposed state attorneyPresident Zoran Milanović suggested that Prime Minister Andrej Plenković convene a meeting of the National Security Council, and although no specific reason was given, there is little doubt that the reason is the government’s proposal to appoint Judge Ivan Turudić as the new State Attorney, a proposal Plenković has publicly opposed.
Source: euractiv.com
