Hovenier: KP action in Serbian bank branches not coordinated with partners

Reiterating the US State Department’s position, Hovenier said the action has escalated tensions and undermined the perception that Kosovo is acting in good faith to resolve the issues between it and Serbia through the Dialogue facilitated by the European Union.

He said the US government has repeatedly sought coordination between governments in order to support Kosovo’s progress on its Euro-Atlantic path, including recently by Undersecretary of State Elizabeth Allen in her meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on May 19.

The US ambassador said there was no coordination between governments on Monday, that the US is concerned and urges the Kosovo Government to return to dialogue and focus on the basic needs of its citizens, especially of those directly affected by the Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK) decision to ban the use of the Serbian dinar.

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Nicole Chulick, also said that the Monday Kosovo Police and Tax Administration action was not coordinated with the US.

She stressed that minority communities are entitled to special rights and protection and that it is America’s job to see to it that this is ensured.

The NATO-led KFOR mission said it was informed "shortly before the commencement" of the operation in the Postal Savings bank branches in northern Kosovo municipalities North Mitrovica, Leposavic, Zvecan and Zubin Potok.

The mission said KFOR personnel were not involved in the execution of these operations, and that KFOR expects timely consultation on any action of the Kosovo Police or the Kosovo Security Force that could impact regional security.