Djordjevic: The Post of Serbia will strive to find a solution to continue its operations in Kosovo and Metohija as before

The Post of Serbia and its operations in Kosovo do not differ from operations anywhere else in Serbia," Acting Director Zoran Djordjevic said, assessing that by abolishing the Serbian dinar in Kosovo, Pristina and Albin Kurti were showing that they did not want the Serbs to exist in Kosovo. He said that the Post of Serbia was trying to find a way to continue its operations as before.

Djordjevic told Kosovo Online that there had been indications before that Pristina would ban the Serbian dinar.

"As for the Post of Serbia, we are trying to find ways to prevent that from happening and to allow our people living there to continue doing everything they have done so far and can do in central Serbia, also in Kosovo and Metohija", Djordjevic said.

He believes that this is important for the existence of all citizens and states that, considering the Post of Serbia operates in the interest of the people, they will strive to continue normal operations in Kosovo.

"It is very important. It is important to show care for the people living there", Djordjevic said.

According to him, two things give hope that there will be a positive outcome in the end. The first is the engagement of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, as demonstrated at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Djordjevic says that besides numerous topics of economic interest for Serbia, President Vucic used every moment at the Forum to discuss this particular issue with world leaders.

"On the other hand, there is an understanding from some leaders in Europe who have finally realized that there is a problem with the existence of some people of Serbian origin and nationality, and they want to deprive them of the basic right to existence. I hope they will find some common ground, and I am confident that the decision on February 1 will not be implemented, that common sense will prevail", he noted.

Djordjevic points out that the operations of the Post of Serbia in Kosovo do not differ from operations anywhere else in Serbia.

"We have employees in the Post of Serbia there, and citizens can exercise all their rights and services that they can access here in Belgrade or anywhere in Serbia. Moreover, when we add that we are the only institution there that can provide financial services and that any Serbian dinar transaction can only be conducted at the Post of Serbia, we come to the point that all citizens living in Kosovo and Metohija, who are almost all of Serbian nationality, use these services of the Post of Serbia, and precisely these payment transactions take place at the Post of Serbia. Our users are all citizens, and the services range from financial transactions, deposits, withdrawals, salaries, pensions, social benefits, voucher applications, to sending and receiving packages", he explained.

He adds that everyone employed in institutions funded by the state of Serbia receives their salaries through the Post of Serbia, emphasizing that those employed in Serbian institutions are the ones directly affected.

"Whether it happens at the counters or ATMs, it takes place there. This is very dangerous; it reveals the true face of the temporary Pristina institutions and Kurti, who, by doing this, shows that he does not want the Serbs to exist in Kosovo and Metohija. I can responsibly say this as an economist", he stated.

According to him, Pristina should understand that having citizens who receive money from Serbia is a significant advantage because they will use that money in the territory where they live.

"Obviously, trade and the economy are not important to Kurti; more important than anything else is that these people do not exist. By abolishing payment transactions, I think he wants to drive the Serbs away from Kosovo and Metohija, but I am confident that it will not happen", Djordjevic concluded.

He expressed confidence that the reputation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic among world leaders would provide a guarantee that they understood the situation was alarming and that a solution would be found.

“I am confident that the Serbs will continue to live there like any normal people and like our citizens in central Serbia“, Djordjevic concluded.