Hovenier: US concerned the dinar ban could escalate tensions

Following his meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albiin Kurti, Hovernier told the media that he shares the Prime Minister’s concerns regarding the Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK) decision to make the euro the sole currency in Kosovo, as well as those regarding the fate of the Serbian dinar.

The Ambassador said adequate action must be taken to ensure that the Serbs feel safe.

The Serbs will feel cut off from benefits, he said, adding that no one wants that.

He did not disclose to the media the details of his talk with Kurti.

The European Union (EU) asked Kosovo on Thursday to ensure a sufficiently long transition period for the implementation of the new CBK regulation on banning the dinar and making the euro the sole legal currency in transactions, because it assessed that its implementation could have consequences on the daily lives of communities in Kosovo, especially on the Kosovo Serbs.

It also called on Kosovo to find a negotiated solution to this issue in the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue.