Murati after O'Brien's statement: Consulting and Coordinating With Allies

Minister of Finance in the Government of Kosovo, Iron Murati, said Kosovo is consulted and co-ordinated on the issue of Central Bank regulation that prohibits the use of the Serbian dinar.

During a media conference after the government's meeting, Murati was asked to take a stand regarding statements by US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia James O'Brien, who said the United States may not treat Kosovo as a partner if it makes decisions without consulting it, following the BQ's decision.

On February 1st, the BEC regulation has entered into force that envisions the use of the euro alone for payment, despite the US and European Union's demand that Kosovo postpone its implementation.

“as to the issue of statements by our international partners, however, should be stressed that it is a decision which was made by the Central Bank in December of last year. It's not a decision that's been made. The decision went into effect in February of this year, but was made earlier”, Murati said.

Of course we consult, of course we co-ordinate and we have in mind all aspects as far as the goal reaches or intends to reach the CEC regulation, but many other laws that we have adopted, all international partners are unanimously supporting it to the end. I believe you've even received these through embassy statements. It means there's no dilemma or there's no difference to what we want to achieve. The only difference is in the period or how to design transitional period, which is required to have”, he added.

Days earlier, the CEC announced that, for facilitating its regulation, it will be a transitional period, no longer than three months, meanwhile, Prime Minister Albin Kurti has declared that the state will not give up the decision to ban the dinar for cash payments, but that it is respecting the international community's demands on the issue.

But, O'Brien said on February 13th that Kosovo should suspend the BQ's decision immediately and work as modern European “state “for finding a solution to this concrete “problem.

People need to know how to pay the bills. When I read the Central Bank statement, it does not say that dinar use will be allowed. He says an alternative will be offered. This had to be done before the decision was implemented in co-operation with the affected communities and with neighbours affected by the decision and sincerely with the European Union and with us”, O'Brien said during an interview for the Voice of America.