LAST LAST LATER: No deal for the dinar in Brussels

Speaking to reporters in the Belgian capital, Petkovic said Pristina did not show “enough willpower” for an agreement and that even a meeting on this topic is expected.

He made these statements after his trilateral meeting between Kosovo's chief negotiator, Besnik Bislimi, under the mediation of EU envoy for dialogue Miroslav Lajcak.

Kosovo and Serbia have failed to agree on the issue of the Serbian dinar, which was banned in Kosovo, not even after Thursday's meeting, Serbian chief negotiator Petar Petkovic said.

Speaking to reporters in the Belgian capital, Petkovic said Pristina did not show “enough willpower” for an agreement and that even a meeting on this topic is expected.

We reiterated our position and proposal, which is balanced and implies a compromise solution. On the other hand, there was not enough will on the part of Pristina. I won't talk any more about it, since there will be another meeting on this”, he said.

He made these statements after his trilateral meeting between Kosovo's chief negotiator, Besnik Bislimi, under the mediation of EU envoy for dialogue Miroslav Lajcak.

At last meeting in Brussels, Petkov had said the Serbian side would try to continue functioning the Serbian bank in Kosovo, the Post Savings, so that Serbs can receive salaries, pensions and other assistance.

Early Thursday morning, Lajcak held a bilateral meeting with Serbian chief negotiator Petkov.

The use of the dinar for cash payments in Kosovo was banned on 1 February, when the Kosovo Central Bank enacted a new regulation, which defined the euro as the only official currency in the country.

The European Union, which facilitates the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels, hoped that differences in the approach between the sides would be overcome and a solution would be reached, under which Serbian citizens in Kosovo could continue to accept benefits from the Serbian state.

The issue, except that it angered Serbia, sparked differences even between the Government of Kosovo and the international community, as the Serb community in Kosovo has for years received payment in dinars from Serbia's budget.

Western diplomats urged Kosovo to suspend the regulation, to give affected citizens time to adapt to the new practice.

Today's meeting was the third in recent weeks between Kosovo's chief negotiator, Besnik Bislimi and Serbia's Petar Petkov, while the fourth overall on the issue in Brussels.

At current meetings, according to the EU, the parties have submitted their proposals for finding a practical and short-term solution for Serbian citizens in Kosovo who are paid in dinars from Serbia.

Serbian citizens before the Post Savings in Leposaviq.
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Trilateral meeting ends in Brussels for dinar