Kurt speaks Serbian about the dinar: Money cannot cross the border with bags, is drawn through Euro accounts

Kosovo Government head Albin Kurti, through a video transformation, has spoken on the issue of using the dinar in the Kosovo Serb community, addressing them in their native language.

This comes after his recent meeting with the UN Security Council in New York last Saturday, where he warned he would take that step.

Kurti addressed the dezinformation campaign against the independent institutions of the country, such as the Central Bank of Kosovo, which has been falsely accused of creating obstacles in the flow of money.

“We are clear about the aim of the Central Bank, which is the formalisation and protocol of financial transactions, not preventing the use of the dinar or any other currency,” it said.

Kurti stressed the importance of a formalised payment system to ensure that transactions within Kosovo are conducted in the euro -- the only official currency in the country.

He dismissed allegations that the new central bank regulation limits Serbia to financial assistance for Kosovo Serbs, citing that any otherwise suggested is only a form of propaganda aimed at promoting ethnic tensions.

Speaking further, the prime minister explained that, unlike reportedly, the regulation does not prohibit any foreign currency, including the dinar.

So Kosovo didn't stop the dinar, just like it didn't stop the dollar, the weekend, or the Swiss franc. The only difference is that on February 1st, money cannot cross the border with bags, as it cannot be done in any democratic state, but can come through bank accounts, attracted to the euro. This policy protects citizens from threats of organised crime, gun trafficking and money laundering. So far, the way of introducing and transporting money across borders enabled criminal groups to receive illegally imported money, thus strengthening their influence over the people, fearing measures and encouraging criminals from the head of the Serbian state”, he said.

By 1 February, all money must cross the border through official banking channels, the withdrawal that will be made in euros, in line with democratic standards and in reinforcement of the laws of the fight against organised crime and money laundering.

Kurti closed with a call for action on illegal activities, stressing the need to stop money laundering and financing terrorism.

“Crime must be overcome, money laundering and illegal enrichment should be stopped with the aim of facilitating terrorist financing and obstructing peace. The Kosovo Central Bank has offered relief for converting dinars to the People's Bank of Serbia. The Kosovo Central Bank has secured the opening of bank accounts in euros for those who have not yet done so, free of charge”.

“Just think of how much it will create the opening of a regular bank account for a small portion of the population that has not yet done so: the flow of money through the account will enable the registration of payments and legal resources, which will be the eventual basis for obtaining a loan or starting a business, obtaining assistance from Kosovo institutions, the economic independence of women, which inevitably leads to new opportunities for a better life”, the prime minister said.

It also unveiled the Central Bank's initiatives to make the euro transition easier for the Serb community, including providing free euro bank accounts and the possibility of converting dinars.

This, according to him, would open the doors for new economic opportunities and independence for all Kosovo citizens, citing especially the role that can play in women's economic empowerment.