EU: Yesterday's action concerning, Kosovo authorities prioritizing unilateral actions

The European Union has expressed concern over yesterday's police operation, which resulted in the closure of branches of the Postanska Stedionica Bank in northern Kosovo. An EU spokesperson noted that the operation demonstrates once again that Kosovo authorities prioritize unilateral and uncoordinated actions over cooperation with their friends and allies.

In a written statement, the EU pointed out that the closure and confiscation of these branches without prior notice or coordination, just a few days after the latest meeting in the dialogue framework that also covered the issue of the Postanska Stedionica Bank premises, is escalatory and contrary to the spirit of normalization.

The statement added that this action undermines Kosovo's goodwill in achieving normalization of relations through dialogue.

It was emphasized that the uncoordinated actions by one party have jeopardized the implementation of the Agreement on the path to normalization.

"The operation by the Kosovo Police also endangers the ongoing negotiations for a temporary solution for people negatively affected by the Kosovo Central Bank regulation on cash transactions. In the continued absence of sustainable alternatives, this will have negative effects on the daily lives and living conditions of Kosovo Serbs and other communities eligible for financial transfers from Serbia," the statement said.

Furthermore, it was noted that the status of all structures and services supported by Serbia is to be resolved within the EU-led dialogue framework concerning the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities.

The EU calls on Kosovo and Serbia to return to the negotiating table and agree to the latest compromise proposal put forward by the EU facilitator, which allows qualified beneficiaries to receive financial transfers from Serbia.