German MP for the dinar: Kosovo under great pressure from EU, US

Kosovo's government and international allies have not yet found common language in terms of the recent Kosovo Central Bank decision, envisioning the euro as the only payment currency in Kosovo.

The QUINT states are urging the government to postpone the decision on a transitional period to better inform citizens.

The same opinion is German Bundestag deputy Thomas Hacker, who also says Kosovo has the right to decide on their currency.

“Kosovo, the Government of Kosovo, and the CEC have every right to decide for their currency and how things can be inside Kosovo. But Germany, and my party, which is part of the government coalition in Berlin, would have appreciated if there had been more time between the announcement and entry into force. We know that in the northern part of Kosovo there are many payments made by the Serbian government, their health and school systems, and people working in these systems, and they should have time for this. So talking to people to explain why this is done and that would help avoid a situation like this we have”, he says.

The MP from the FDP ranks says Kosovo is under great pressure from the international community, but who, according to him, only want the good for Kosovo. He hopes that after that decision, tensions will not arise in the northern part of Kosovo.

Kosovo is under great pressure, not only from its neighbours, but also is being monitored by the EU and the US. So it is necessary to recall the context in which we are there, that both the US and the EU, and especially Germany, are on the side of Kosovo, to help, to guide and respect Kosovo interests, that's why we need to talk to each other, to announce the measures, to what's expected to happen, and that helps to make each other's understanding, and to create an atmosphere of trust in each other's actions. I hope there are no more tensions, I hope we can find a way of life together, to start with both sides, and to do everything for the EU to implement the process of approaching all Western Balkan states”, he says.

Hacker, has a few words for Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq.

He says Serbia's first should refrain from encouraging language and that he should place responsibility for the attack on Banjska, where Kosovo Police Sergeant Africa Bulnjak was killed.

“Alexander Vuciq has often surprised us with his comments, and sometimes within 24 hours he says something different than he said earlier. On one side Aleksandar Vuciq reacts, on the other hand there are incidents in northern Kosovo, such as the one in Banjska, which he does not have the same will to clarify things, and to demand account from the people involved in that serious event. We like Germany want to help and support dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and we invite parties to reduce the promotional vocabulary”, he says.

The Kosovo Central Bank has announced that it will have three months' deadlines for education and information of communities for the Serbian dinar.