Brussels, April 4th, 2024
The first Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development and Dialogue of the Republic of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, participated in the next meeting within the dialogue process.
This was the third meeting at the level of chief negotiators to find a solution for the acceptance of Serbia’s financial support from the Serbian community in Kosovo. Our proposals for solutions have been from the beginning within the CBK Regulation and in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kosovo, and also the EU proposal is considered by us as a constructive proposal and in the right direction.
Again, the Serbian side refused to cooperate and prioritize the interests of the citizens, insisting on licensing an illegal entity like “Postanska Banka”.
After the proposal from the EU, again the Serbian side was not ready to reflect on this proposal and requested additional time. The next meeting is expected to be held in two weeks again in Brussels.
The full statement to the media of Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi, after the meeting held in Brussels:
This meeting was neither the last nor the first for the dinar, I think it is the last time to avoid this misinformation. The meeting is to address the models with which Serbia can continue sending financial support to Kosovo Serbs, within the CBK regulation.
The CBK regulation does not mention the dinar, therefore there is no discussion about the dinar.
This meeting was scheduled with the idea that the parties should reflect, namely the Serbian side requested more time for the reason that they did not have decision-making powers. It was made clear to them last week that the next meeting can only be held if they are willing to come up with compromise ideas.
Unfortunately, even today we still have big differences. While the Kosovar side has been discussing the options for how Serbian citizens can receive financial support from Serbia, the Serbian side has been working as the lawyers of “Postanska Banka” and all the time they have been discussing how to regulate the licensing of this bank, which is neither the competence nor the interest of the parties involved.
Seeing the impossibility of reaching a compromise, Mr. Lajcak has issued a proposal from his side, a consolidated proposal, which we believe is a constructive proposal and on the right way to find a solution that best suits the Serbian citizens in Kosovo, but at the same time and fully respects the CBK Regulation. Again, the Serbian side was not ready to reflect on this proposal and requested additional time. The next meeting is expected to be held in two weeks again in Brussels.
Legally in Kosovo, there is no “Postanska Banka” and one of the agreed principles is the solution to ensure legitimacy in its entirety, therefore something that is not legitimate cannot be part of the solution. I think that this has been made clear to the Serbian side, during the past week and today by Mr. Lajcak.
Last modified: April 5, 2024