EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak has embarked on a mission to defuse tensions between Serbia and Kosovo following Kosovo’s announcement that it will only accept the euro within its borders, which began in Belgrade on Monday and will continue in Pristina on Tuesday, EU spokesperson Peter Stano has confirmed.
At the meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Monday, Vučić emphasised the urgent need for elections in northern Kosovo, the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities, and sought EU support in halting further provocations from Pristina.
The legal process for holding reflections, starting with a citizen led petition for the removal of elected mayors has already been initiated, the first step in the process.
Vučić noted the ‘difficult position’ of the Serbs in Kosovo and the need for Pristina to stop escalating actions that disrupt their lives, said the Director of the Office for Kosovo, Petar Petković, commented on the meeting.
Lajčak’s visit to Belgrade precedes the expected implementation of the Central Bank of Pristina’s regulation making the euro the only currency for transactions in Kosovo.
A single currency is enshrined in Kosovo’s constitution and the euro has been the only official currency for some 16 years. The regulations from the central bank seek to enforce it, while still allowing the use of other currencies in peer to peer transactions, exchanges, and in specific other currency bank accounts.
EU spokesman Peter Stano mentioned that Lajčak will visit Pristina tomorrow as part of ongoing efforts to help partners move the dialogue forward.
The last meeting between Vučić and Lajčak took place on 17 January in Davos.
Lajčak informed Brussels of Pristina’s intentions and expressed confidence that a solution could be found without negative consequences. Quint countries’ embassies in Pristina urged Pristina to suspend the regulation of the central bank, citing concerns about its impact, particularly on Serb-majority communities.
(Jelena Nikolic | Euractiv.rs)
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