The European Union called on Kosova to provide a sufficiently long transitional period for the implementation of the decision of the Central Bank of Kosova which determines that the Euro is the only currency that can be used for payments. The decision that entered into force on February 1 means the removal from use of the Serbian dinar, which is still used in areas inhabited by Serbs, especially in the north of Kosova.

The regulation provoked the angry reaction of Belgrade and the political representatives of the Serbs in Kosova, who consider that this decision endangers the survival of the Serbian community, but also the concerns of Western diplomats that it could incite new tensions.

In a statement published on Thursday, the EU said that “the regulation will also affect the financial support that the Serbs of Kosova receive from Serbia. The EU is concerned about the consequences that this decision may have on the daily lives of Kosova Serbs and other communities throughout Kosova due to the lack of preceding consultation, especially about its impact on schools and hospitals, given the apparent lack of alternatives at this time”.

The communiqué states that the short transitional period for the implementation of the regulation, combined with the lack of information and practical solutions for all affected communities, risks to seriously complicate their lives.

Therefore, it is further stated that the EU asks Kosova to provide a sufficiently long transitional period and to find a negotiated solution to this issue within the framework of talks facilitated by the EU”.

The Government of Kosova said last Wednesday that the implementation of the regulation will be carried through a facilitated transitional period, but without giving details about the time frame.

Kosovan Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi said that there should open communication channels between the Central Bank of Kosova and that of Serbia to facilitate this process.

The EU and diplomats in Prishtina agree that the regulation aims to increase financial transparency, ensure financial sustainability and fight money laundering and counterfeiting, but have asked for an implementation postponement until issues to that would ensure that no one is harmed are resolved “.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic discussed this issue with the ambassadors of the main Western countries on Wednesday evening, but no details were given about the discussions. The European Union and the United States are putting pressure on Kosova and Serbia to implement the agreement on the normalization of relations that the parties on almost agreed on a year ago in Brussels and Ohrid.

But the agreement failed to reduce tensions that culminated in September of last year, when a group of armed Serbs attacked the Kosova police, killing an officer. The incident, which was described as the worst since Kosova declared its independence in 2008, caused NATO to increase its presence in Kosovo amid concerns about the stability of the region. /according to VOA/