US sharply criticises closure of Serbian bank branches in northern Kosovo

The US State Department expressed disappointment with the closure of Kosovo police of six “Savings Posting Banks” of Serbia in the north of the country, saying that “this action was not co-ordinated with the international partners” and that it “escalates tensions”.

It (action) undermines the perception that Kosovo is acting with good will for resolving the issues between it and Serbia through the EU-ex1> dialogue facilitated, a State Department spokesman said, responding to Voice of America's interest.

The spokesman notes that the “government of the United States has repeatedly called for co-ordination among our governments” in order to support Kosovo's progress on its Euro-Atlantic path, including recently “by US Deputy Secretary of State Elizabeth Allen at its meeting with Prime Minister Kurti on May 19th”.

The State Department reiterated the United States' concern over Kosovo Central Bank measures for restrictions on the use of the Serbian dinar.