Jan 24, 2024. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
The US State Department
reminded Pristina Prime Minister Albin Kurti of the legally binding obligations
that Kosovo has undertaken
The State Department has urged Kosovo to revisit its Central Bank's
decision to suspend the Serbian dinar in payment transactions, expressing
concern that the regulation adopted on December 27 may negatively impact the
ethnic Serb community in Kosovo, 'The Pavlovic Today' writes.
In response to the website's inquiry regarding the decision of the Central
Bank of Kosovo to suspend the Serbian dinar as of February 1, 2024, the State
Department issued "a stern warning to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin
Kurti," said Kosovo Online.
"We call on the Government of Kosovo to review this decision, consult
with the affected communities, respond to the concerns expressed by the
international community, and ensure sufficient time to implement its decisions
in order to mitigate the impact these decisions will have on citizens,"
said a State Department spokesperson.
Regarding the development, the spokesperson stated, "We are concerned
that the regulation adopted on December 27 will negatively impact the ethnic
Serb community in Kosovo."
The State Department stressed that, "in accordance with Kosovo law and
the commitments made under the Ahtisaari Plan, Serbia 'has the right to provide
financial assistance to members of the ethnic Serb community in Kosovo',"
the reports further say.
"Key provisions of the settlement in the Ahtisaari Plan stipulate that
the 'Serb-majority communities will have extensive financial autonomy and will
be able to accept transparent funding from Serbia and to take part in
inter-municipal partnerships and cross-boundary cooperation with Serbian
institutions'," the continued.
The State Department reminded Kurti of "the legally binding
obligations that Kosovo has undertaken."
"This is why we continue to urge Kosovo to fulfill its commitment to
establish an Association (Community, ZSO) of Serb-majority
municipalities," the spokesperson said.
He added that the ZSO is the primary mechanism through which Serbia could
transparently provide financial support to institutions and individuals within
the Kosovo legal framework.
The State Department emphasized that individuals in Kosovo who
"legitimately receive financial assistance from Serbia need access to a
functional, legal mechanism through which they can receive that support."
The spokesman concluded that institutions that provide vital services, such
as education and health, "must be able to continue operating."
(Telegraf.rs/Kosovo Online)
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