Diari decision, concerns over new sanctions

Ignoring international allies' demands for delaying the decision on the Serbian dinar could bring new European Union penalties on Kosovo, political analysts say. According to them, Kosovo has never achieved all its goals with one decision, so co-ordination with allies is needed. However, new punitive measures due to the new BEC regulation do not expect in the ruling party, Vetevendosje Movement. Rather, they demand that the extreme measures depart as soon as possible.

Political analyst Arbnor Sadiku tells Kosovo Press that on the basis of European Union and US insistence on delaying the decision on the dinar, Kosovo is risking too much for new sanctions.

Likewise, other political analyst, Arton Demhaja, says it tends by the EU to toughen punitive measures against Kosovo due to the dinar decision.

According to him, new punitive measures against Kosovo will not exist, even stressing that the EU should remove existing ones as soon as possible.

According to Kosovo Central Bank's new regulation, which has entered into force on February 1st, you expect the only payment currency in Kosovo to be euro.

Following the major international reaction, the CEC days ago has drafted a new plan, but no longer than three months for facilitated implementation of the regulation effects for cash operations in specific communities.

The CEC announced it has taken a series of relief measures for Kosovo Serbs in four northern municipalities, including opening a free phone line (080022-55), an e-mail for complaints, as well as a number dedicated to the U.S.

Among the extenuating measures it has taken are facilitating conditions for opening bank accounts, the temporary suspension of the BQC's fee applicable for opening branches/states, “to encourage non-bank financial institutions (with exchange emphasis) licensed for opening offices in the majority Serbian Kosovo municipalities, especially in four northern municipalities.