Szunyog speaks of the dinar, Banjska and EU measures towards Kosovo: Waiting for Kosovo to do more

The European Union's Ambassador to Kosovo, Thomas Szunyog, has spoken last night about the issue of the BEC's decision on the dinar, the attack on Banjska, and the possibility of its repetition, as well as the measures Kosovo is imposed on by the European Union.

Szunyog, says they are willing to dismiss the measures, but expect Kosovo to do more. The ambassador counted three issues on which they expect greater progress.

“We, I think, 27 member states, agreed on specific text, with specific requirements for Serbia and for Kosovo. We waited Kosovo for four weeks to meet those specific requirements. Unfortunately, there was no reaction, and in late June, after four weeks we decided to bring in the measures. Again, we appreciate the specific steps taken by Kosovo after June 29th, and some steps to say about police presence in municipal buildings, there is also administrative instruction for calling elections and there are other steps, but member states discussed the issue on December 12th and agreed with the text that is very clear. We are willing to clear the measures, but we expect Kosovo to do more”, he said in Tv1.

According to Szunyog, Kosovo must make progress in de-increasing the situation in the north, early elections there, as well as the fulfillment and agreement reached in Brussels and Ohrid.

There are three areas where we expect greater progress. Under one is declination, the presence of police near municipal buildings. The second issue, mayors, early elections... the last issue, third, is Kosovo's serious commitment to dialogue, the fulfillment of agreements from February 27th and March 18th, the annex of Ohrid”, he added.

Szunyog, says 90 per cent of Kosovo Central Bank regulation (BQK) is in line with European standards and requirements.

But according to him, there is a 10 percent dealing with currency other than the euro, as well as the licensing of financial institutions.

“90 per cent of regulation is something we like, because it draws Kosovo systems closer to European standards and requirements, which have to do with money laundering, the fight against terrorist financing and other issues required by the EU. However, there is this 10 percent dealing with currency other than the euro, and the licensing of financial institutions, for which we have certain questions. I would say that regulations like these in other states would probably not cause a major problem, perhaps even not be observed”, he said.

It has seen that this regulation and the whole system has not taken into account the reality on Kosovo's ground.

But the problem in Kosovo is that reality here is different. You can go 10km away from Pristina, to Gracanica, and you can see there's another currency in circulation, like cash, finance, stores, etc., there's a different reality here, which is different. I think that with this decision made, and the empowerment so fast, this regulation and the entire system has not taken into account the reality on the ground”, the ambassador said.

Szunyog said this issue would be good to negotiate with Serbia, but better as part of the dialogue.

The second problem is that the Kosovar side says it is not a problem, has easy solutions, electronically transferring money to bank accounts, but that has not been discussed with Serbia at all... Again, it is something that would be good to talk about, to debate with Serbia, even better as part of the dialogue, or any way, before entering into force”, he added.

On February 1st of this year, the BEC regulation has entered into force, under which the euro is the only currency for payments, meaning preventing the use of the Serbian dinar.

Szunyog, has said they have no information on the security situation anymore to violate and repeat the attack on Banjska, following the Serbian dinar's ban on the Kosovo dinar.

But, he has said that the entry into force of the BEC regulation, which prohibits the circulation of the Serbian dinar in Kosovo, has sparked nervousness and uncertainty among people affected by the decision.

We don't have any information or signs for any specific risks like Banjsk, but obviously we feel, and we have information about adding to the confusion, of adding questions, of nervousness to people they've been affected by this decision about currency. But even in general due to the lack of progress and non-implemation of past agreements on February 27th and the annex of Ohrid”, he has said.

Otherwise US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Havenier had said he feared straining the situation after the BEC's regulation entered into force.

Syznog has also talked about the closure of several Serb parallel municipalities in Kosovo.

He has said they are for evolution of the process, but that this must be done through dialogue.

He has even said these problems would have been solved if the Association of Serb-run municipalities were formed.

We think the system should develop, evolve, but we also believe that this should be done in the format of dialogue. We think that these problems would have to be solved, with the creation of the Association of Serb majority municipalities”, the EU ambassador said.