He has filled it with friends and BQC militants, Kurt calls it an independent institution: Government Can't Influence

Prime Minister Albin Kurti declared today that the government he heads cannot and should not influence the decision-making of the Central Bank of Kosovo for the euro to be the only payment currency in the country, as the CEC is an independent and professional institution.

He made these comments during a meeting with KFOR commander Major General Ozcan Ulitaı, with whom he discussed the security situation in the country and the co-operation between Kosovo and the KFOR mission.

In terms of the new Central Bank regulation, Prime Minister Kurti stressed the importance of maintaining the constitutionality and legitimacy of public institutions and their independent and undirected functioning.

Kurti also talked about the importance of combating money laundering and criminality, and said Kosovo has received the euro as currency from the European Union.

The government supports implementation of legitimacy and constitutionality across the country. In addition to legitimacy and order, he cares for peace and security. The welfare and security of all Kosovo citizens is a priority of the Government, and it will also ensure that citizens are not affected negatively by the decisions of institutions. In this regard each complaint will be seriously addressed and addressed at speed”, Kurti said.

The BQC's new regulation over cash operations entered into force from February 1st. Under this regulation, the only currency allowed to be used for conducting cash payment transactions and in the payment system in Kosovo is euros.

The EU and the US have voiced concerns about the consequences this decision could have on the daily life of Kosovo Serbs, due to lack of preliminary consultations. The EU has insisted that this issue be included in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, as well as on finding a solution.

In BQK regulations, it is said that non-euro currency can only be used to store “in physical form or in bank accounts” and can carry out international payments, and these currency can also be used for exchange.

But the exchange, according to the CEC, can only be carried out through institutions licensed by it for this service.