Escobar in Peja: Serbian community suffering due to CBK decision, urgent solutions needed

Special Envoy of the United States for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, visited the Municipality of Peja today as a part of his official visit to Kosovo. After discussions with representatives of civil society, youth from the area, and the media, he noted that the Serbian community in Kosovo was suffering due to the decision of the CBK to abolish the dinar because citizens could not access their salaries. He emphasized that he would seek to engage with the Kosovo Government to urgently address this issue.

During his visit to the municipality of Peja, he spoke with youth from Albanian, Serbian, and Bosnian communities. At the end of the visit to Peja, he also met with Mayor Gazmend Muhaxheri.

"I wanted to come to this city to hear firsthand the stories of people about how the decision of the Central Bank of Kosovo affects them. It is difficult to hear these stories and remain indifferent," Escobar said in a statement to Radio Gorazdevac.

During the meeting with the local Serbian community, Escobar was able to hear firsthand the impact of the decision of the Central Bank of Kosovo on them, as well as the latest actions of the Kosovo authorities in Gorazdevac.

"Here, there is a community that truly suffers. There are people facing real problems due to the lack of opportunities to receive pensions. So, I really want to work with the Government of Kosovo in the hope of trying to find an urgent solution," Escobar said.

The Special Envoy of the United States for the Western Balkans briefly commented on the Franco-German proposal in the context of current issues.

"Meanwhile, in the longer term, we still need to work hard on implementing the historic normalization agreement we reached in March last year. So, we will continue to work," Escobar said.

He emphasized that all citizens living in Kosovo had the support of the United States.

"I think all people in Kosovo can count on US support, whether they are Albanians, Serbs, Bosniaks, or anyone else living in this country. I hope they can feel US support and partnership," Escobar emphasized.

In the interview, he also had a message for the Serbian community he met with and for the authorities in Kosovo.

"As for the community living here, I want the community to feel and know that the US Government wants Serbs to live in Kosovo in conditions of safety, security, and dignity. And we will continue to work towards that. As for the Government of Kosovo, they have a responsibility to achieve that, and therefore, we will hold them accountable," Escobar emphasized.