Kosovo and Serbia delegations in Brussels present their proposals for the dinar, but did not agree. The parties accused each other, while Lajčák said the proposals clarified many things.

There were significant differences in positions between Kosovo and Serbia representatives at the March 25 meeting in Brussels, where the issue of the use of the Serbian dinar in Kosovo was discussed. The dialogue mediator Miroslav Lajčák, as reported on platform X, however, hopes that next week on April 4, when the parties will meet again in Brussels, a solution will be found for the dinar.

“We agreed to meet again next week with the ambition to find a solution,” wrote Lajčák.

Both parties presented their proposals at Monday’s meeting in Brussels, discussed them but did not provide details. The parties criticized each other, although Lajčák said the proposals clarified many things.

The differences are significant

Kosovo’s chief negotiator, Besnik Bislimi, said the differences are significant, and he described Kosovo’s proposal as constructive.

“I think our side has presented a very constructive proposal, which enables financial support to go to the end-users. But without compromising at any moment the Central Bank (CBK) regulations and the legislative framework of our country, because our focus has been on the citizen for whom we are convinced needs and should have the opportunity to accept further financial support, which the state of Serbia has paid so far,” said Bislimi. According to him, “a solution to the CBK regulation, which foresees the euro as the sole currency for payments, is possible and easily achievable. But political will of both parties is required.

“Kosovo’s proposal does not offer a solution”

Contrary to this, Serbia’s chief negotiator, Petar Petković, claims that Pristina’s proposal “does not lead to a compromise solution.”

“Our proposal is balanced, taking into account the interests of the Serbian people in Kosovo and is made in agreement with our experts. On the other hand, it was Pristina’s proposal, about which I would not like to speak now, but it is enough to say that the other side made no effort that letter could be called a proposal, which goes in the direction of a compromise solution,” said Petković. According to him, he doesn’t know which direction the dialogue will go. He accused official Prishtina, stating that “there is no political will to reach a solution.”

“The Serbian side will try to continue the functioning of the Serbian bank in Kosovo, through (the Postal Savings Bank), so that Serbs receive salaries, pensions, and other aid. This is the essence of our proposal,” said Petković.

Regulation in force since February

Since February 1 in Kosovo, through a regulation of the CBK, the use of the dinar for cash payments was prohibited. The implementation of this regulation prompted reactions from Belgrade and the international community. Quint states demanded Kosovo to suspend the regulation, to give time to affected Serbian citizens to adapt to the new practice. But the Kosovo government continues to refuse to suspend the regulation. However, it agrees to find the best ways for Serbian citizens living in Kosovo to receive financial aid from Serbia, but only in euros, which is the sole official currency in Kosovo.

/k.s/