The American envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said that the Government of Kosovo, by not fulfilling the American demand on the issue of the Serbian dinar, is not treating Washington as a partner.
“I don’t want to talk about what all the consequences are, but I think that our public statements have clearly shown where our diplomatic and political relations are going.
We are very concerned because the Government of Kosovo is not treating us as a partner, they are not working with us for regional stability and are undermining the dialogue, a process to which the US is fully committed.
I think the [American] ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, said it best: this complicates our capacity to help Kosovo integrate into the transatlantic community,” Escobar said in an interview given to Voice of America in Serbian.
In Kosovo, a new regulation of the Central Bank of Kosovo has entered into force since February 1, which stipulates that only the euro is the currency for making cash payments.
The US has requested the postponement of the implementation of this decision, arguing that it was approved without prior consultation and without considering the negative impacts on the Serbian community in Kosovo, which uses the national currency of Serbia.
Escobar said that ignoring American demands makes it difficult for the US to help Kosovo join international organizations including the Council of Europe, NATO and the European Union.
“Whenever we talk about Kosovo with other partners, especially with those who do not know it, they see that Kosovo does not fulfill its obligations of dialogue that is under the umbrella of the EU, which represents the entire EU.
Therefore, it becomes difficult for us to defend in any way the arguments of Kosovo, including the membership in the EU and NATO, in the Council of Europe and in many other organizations”, said Escobar.
According to the senior American official, Kosovo must implement the agreement reached in the Brussels dialogue for the establishment of the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority. He said that through this association, the issue of using the Serbian dinar could also be resolved.
Escobar said that a solution for the dinar through the Association would have to be done through a transparent process and in accordance with the laws of Kosovo.
