Bislimi: Any pressure on Central Bank regarding Serbian dinar is intervention in the independence of this institution

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi said on Friday that the Central Bank is the only authority to implement monetary policies in the country and any pressure on the decisions of this bank represents interference in the institution's independence.

“means if the mediator appears and says there is no co-ordination, the regulator does not have Mr. Lajcak's superior institution, therefore the Central Bank shouldn't be co-ordinated with persons outside because that would be the manifestation of their addiction. The Central Bank has very clear mission implementation, monetary policy implementation”, Bislimi said.

He made those comments during a report to the Kosovo Parliament's European Integration Commission, commenting on debates that prompted the central bank's regulation, which is expected to go into effect by one February, under which the euro will be the only currency for handling cash payments in the country.

I think it's very important that even the mediator realize that the Central Bank has not negotiated in Brussels, Article 11 of the Constitution is not negotiating in Brussels, the independence of the bank is not therefore to negotiate should not be affected. Whoever belongs to the Central Bank and tells him why you've made this decision, as you wish to continue, is interfering with the independence of this institution. I think we should all jointly protect the independence of the Central Bank”, Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislim said.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said the decision is an attempt to destroy dialogue on normalisation of relations, as well as the expulsion of Serbs from Kosovo. But, authorities in Kosovo said the new regulation will increase transparency of money delivery and diminish the large scope for misuse in the name of support.

The Central Bank's decision was part of discussions between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the ambassadors of the Quint countries. In a communiqué issued by Koosova's government, Prime Minister Kurti was quoted as saying that the importance of respecting constitutionality and legitimacy in the country by all and at the same time respecting independent authorities, in this case of Central Bank”.

Aware of the area of the economy in Kosovo assess the decision completely right, but insist that Kosovo authorities co-ordinate fully with the European Union for its implementation, since they think a direct agreement with Serbian authorities on the issue is difficult.

Kosovo and Serbia have been involved in the facilitated dialogue by the European Union, under which a series of agreements have been signed, whose implementation continues to be a challenging process.

Bislimi said there is an unbalanced approach of the European Union that is damaging Kosovo.

“Dialog with European integration is linked to a Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Dialogue is the main part in the agreement chapters, and therefore progress has been conditional on that. What we have said is that dealing with the connection between progress in dialogue and integration into the European Union should be fair both around Kosovo and Serbia”, said Mr. Bislimi.

The two sides are facing pressure to implement the agreement reached a year ago in Brussels on normalising relations that remain the key condition for the progress of Kosovo and Serbia towards European integration. / VOA