Escobar also denies Albin Kurti: Kosovo government is not treating us as partner

In the interview for Voice of America (Serbian-language edition), Escobar has been asked whether there will be consequences for Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, as he has many times been criticised by the US for how he implemented the new rules regarding the Serbian dinar.

I don't want to get into what all the consequences are, but I think our statements in public speak very clearly where our diplomatic and political relations are going. We are very concerned because the Kosovo government does not treat us as a partner, they do not work with us for regional stability and risk dialogue for which the United States is fully committed. I think Ambassador Havenier has well said this complicates our capacity to help Kosovo integrate into the transatlantic community. Every time we talk about Kosovo with other partners, especially those who do not know it, they see that Kosovo does not fulfil its obligations in dialogue under the EU umbrella, which represents the whole EU. Therefore, it is difficult for us to protect Kosovo's arguments in any way, including EU and NATO membership, the Council of Europe and many other organisations”, Escobar has said.

Escobar has further said that within the dialogue there are two important things.

“One is that the Association of Serb majority municipalities whose formation is binding and for which we are due must be fulfilled involves resolving the dinar issue transparently, electronicly in accordance with Kosovo laws. And we support him. In other words, this is a problem that would be solved through association. We have some concerns about this: The first is the sudden change of law. Responsible institutions do not surprise their citizens with administrative changes that will ruin their daily lives. Imagine that now the Internal Revenue Service in America (IRS) one day decides to change the tax system without providing any instructions or notice. Well, that would have major consequences for business. Second, they have not talked to the local community, which depends on social benefits from Serbia. Thirdly, Kosovo has provided no alternative, for example a woman is heading to our embassy, which is 100% dependent on social benefits, because she cares for her disabled son, she has no alternative. Later, Kosovo refused the QUINT technical assistance to find a pay mechanism that would be transparent and electronic and would not ruin people's lives. Finally, at the summit in Skopje (the meeting of Western Balkan and EU leaders in January 2024), six countries discussed a pay system that could be applied in all countries. So, all Kosovo had to do was wait and get a transparent system”, Escobar said.

Asked whether he is satisfied with how Serbia fulfils its obligations within the dialogue and what is expected from the following Belgrade, Escobar said there is clear expectations in the dialogue, and some were fulfilled- such as accepting Kosovo license plates and customs documents.

“We want Serbia to do so by making it irreversible and formal in laws or regulations. This is expected from Serbia. But there are other things that have been promised and have not been done, for example, to bring those responsible for participating in the attack on Banjska on September 24th. It is not part of the dialogue, but it is very important for regional reconciliation”, Escobar said.

Last week, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller has declared that the US is committed to diplomatically resolving the Serbian dinar issue in Kosovo.

At a media conference, Miller reaffirmed the importance of dialogue mediated by the European Union.

“We aim to be active in using diplomatic means to address this problem. We want the parties to return to the negotiations mediated by the European Union and, in addition, I would not like to make predictions of specific actions from my position,” said Miller.

On February 1st, 2024 has entered into force the regulation of the Kosovo Central Bank, which stresses that the only currency in Kosovo is euros.

This has also sparked the international factor's response.

The EU and the US have called for a transition period for implementation of this regulation.

Kurti has reiterated that she will not interfere with the independent decision of the CEC. He has stressed that Serbs in Kosovo will be given time to adapt to the new decision.

We cannot reverse this decision. We won't have any kind of punitive measures. We don't want to punish anyone”, he said.

Kurti has added that this is a transitional period and that they are working on more complete information.