Havenier denies Kurt and Bissimi: The decision on the dinar has affected our relationship

“There are public statements that Kosovo partnership - The US has not been affected or can not be affected by this situation. I have to be clear, that's not true, it's just not the point. As Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien has said, this situation has affected the quality of partnership between our two governments”, said US Ambassador Jeff Hovenier.

US Ambassador to Pristina Jeff Hovenier has said Kosovo's decision to implement Kosovo Central Bank's decision to ban the Serbian dinar has affected the quality of relations between the United States and the Government of Kosovo.

Hovnier said the statements by US officials have been constantly clear that Kosovo should postpone the decision to implement the regulation.

The new regulation of the Kosovo Central Bank, which stipulates that the euro is the only currency that can be used for cash payments across the country entered into force on February 1st.

“We have hoped Prime Minister Albin Kurti's government would engage, As partners do, to resolve this issue together, instead of taking unilateral action... we are concerned that Kurt's government has not done that. Whatever suggestion things are okay, that we all agree with each other, it's not true at all. We are concerned and frustrated and I think the tone of assistant Secretary O'Brien reflects this very clearly”, said Havener.

US Ambassador to Pristina's harsh statements come a day after Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti tried to reject US Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien's suggestions, that Kosovo is risking partnership with the United States following the decision to ban the Serbian dinar.

The Republic of Kosovo has no partner, ally and important friends like the United States, so I consider and co-operate as Kosovo prime minister”, Kurti said on Wednesday.

O'Brien warned on Tuesday that the United States may not treat Kosovo as a partner, if it makes decisions without consulting it, following the decision to ban the Serbian dinar.

I do not make vague threats publicly. I mean, nIf we are not treated as partners, even we will not treat the Kosovo government as partner”O'Brien said Tuesday.

The government, however, continued with its unannounced implementation and has left a number of its citizens confused about how to pay for bread, rent and electricity, which some have just begun to pay. This is not the form of effective governance. We are very concerned, as this shows the government's inability to serve its citizens, but also for partnership”, O'Brien said.

“Here is how Havenier responds if there may be US sanctions on Kosovo