Escobar after meeting with Kurti: The issue of dinars - an urgent humanitarian issue that must be resolved immediately

Special envoy of the United States for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, stated after a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti that the issue of the dinar was an urgent, humanitarian matter that must be resolved immediately. He announced the next round of dialogue in Brussels for Tuesday and praised the government for its decision regarding the Visoki Decani Monastery.

"We had a very open conversation. The United States remains a committed partner to Kosovo, but I must note that our relationship is going through certain challenges, which are caused by the attitude towards the Serbian minority," Escobar emphasized in a statement to journalists.

He pointed out that the decision of the Central Bank of Kosovo to ban the dinar has caused difficulties for certain communities in Kosovo, and therefore the United States was very concerned.

"We will continue to work on this issue, but I believe this is an urgent humanitarian matter that must be resolved immediately. I hope the government is ready to be flexible in continuing the dialogue, which is scheduled for Tuesday," Escobar said.

He conveyed that he had commended Kurti for the decision he made regarding the Visoki Decani Monastery.

"It was a tough but right decision. I commend his commitment to upholding the rule of law and the decision made by the Constitutional Court," Escobar said.

As he stated, he had clearly emphasized during the meeting that the most vulnerable were not being heard, namely pensioners and students.

"The Prime Minister acknowledged this and promised to consider the proposals I put forward today," Escobar added.

According to him, the US relationship with Kosovo is not unbalanced.

"Everything we have done in the past year - we have done for Kosovo. Immediately after Ohrid, we supported Pristina's candidacy for the Council of Europe, and democratic processes, including elections in the north. We stood by Kosovo after the events in September, and we have even provided you with 'Javelins'. So, please explain to us how that is an unbalanced relationship," Escobar concluded.