The special envoy of the European Union for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Miroslav Lajčak, assessed today’s meeting of the representatives of Serbia and Kosovo as an important first step, but, as he stated, other meetings are also needed because many political questions remain unanswered.
“I welcome the parties’ commitment to finding a sustainable solution for the communities affected by the recent Central Bank of Kosovo decree. Today’s meeting within the Dialogue was an important first step, but many political questions remain unanswered. Additional meetings will be needed,” said Lajcak.
After meeting separately with the delegations of the two sides, financial experts from Serbia and Kosovo also met with him to discuss a possible solution to the dinar issue in Kosovo.
Negotiator Petar Petković, representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Bank Poštanska štedionica and the “Office for Coordination Affairs in the Negotiation Process” arrived from Belgrade, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK) Ahmet Ismaili came from Pristina.
The CBK regulation, which entered into force on February 1, foresees the euro as the only currency for cash payments in Kosovo and prohibits the use of dinars.
According to the EU, that decision caused practical problems for Serbs in Kosovo who use the dinar and receive aid from Serbia in that currency.
Kosovo negotiator Besnik Bisljimi said earlier that he rejected the invitation of EU envoy for dialogue Miroslav Lajčak, arguing that it is not a meeting that the chief negotiator must go to because, as he said, “the dinar issue is not part of the dialogue.”, Beta news agency writes.
