Guerot: The application of regulations should be preceded by consultations; implementation depends on the government, not the CBK

French Ambassador to Kosovo Olivier Guerot stated that France, along with its partners, called for the establishment of a sufficient transitional period regarding the CBK Regulation and discussions on this topic within the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. He emphasizes that he does not see anything in the Constitution that would prevent the authorities of Kosovo from conducting extensive consultations before taking measures that specifically affect the lives of certain citizens.

"We want the Kosovo authorities to take into account as much as possible the effects this may have on citizens belonging to minorities, on Kosovo Serbs, and everyone else," Guerot said in an interview for Telegrafi.

He stated that France paid special attention to the multi-ethnic character of Kosovo and all the guarantees that minorities should have, adding that these guarantees must be implemented concretely, and dialogue between communities and the government must be encouraged.

"This is a crucial issue related to the conditions for membership in the Council of Europe and the European Union. We regret that this decision seems not to have been the subject of previous consultations before the publication of this new regulation. It is essential to offer interested citizens concrete and practical alternatives so that it does not negatively impact the daily lives of citizens, even if temporarily," Guerot said.

He recalls that Article 11 of the Kosovo Constitution envisages the circulation of a single currency in Kosovo.

"We are well acquainted with this Constitution because, as you know, we supported the independence of Kosovo and were among the first to recognize the state," the French Ambassador emphasizes.

According to him, France supports the independence of the Central Bank because it is a "basic element of Western democracies and is at the heart of European law", but he says that the way the regulation is implemented depends on the Government, not the Central Bank.

He added that "he sees nothing in the Constitution that would prevent the authorities of Kosovo from conducting extensive consultations before taking measures that specifically affect the lives of certain citizens".

"We believe that consultations should precede implementation. It is highly desirable to avoid making such important decisions without preparation, information, and alternative proposals," Guerot said.

As he notes, solutions exist.

"Specifically, dialogue provides an appropriate framework for finding them, and talking to the relevant authorities of Serbia. Moreover, if we had the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, a part of the problem could already be solved because one of the goals of the community is to make Serbia's financing transparent and in favor of the educational system and health," he assesses.

Regarding the draft proposal of the CSM, he emphasizes that France fully supports the proposed statutes of the CSM adopted by the EU.

"This proposal is in line with the legal framework of Kosovo and guarantees functional institutions. Kosovo has been committed to establishing this community since 2013, and it is high time to move forward based on this very good project and with the support of Kosovo partners," Guerot says.

Regarding the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, he emphasizes that Kosovo has a lot to gain from the dialogue.

"The Brussels and Ohrid agreements represent a significant step forward that Kosovo and its citizens have a great interest in implementing. Normalization of relations with Serbia is necessary because, although time passes, geography does not change. Normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is important for these two countries but also for your membership in the European Union, which Kosovo intends to join. These Brussels-Ohrid agreements provide significant support to Kosovo and its socio-economic development," he says.

When asked about the possible lifting of sanctions against Kosovo, Guerot states that "not all conditions have been met".

"It is important to make the necessary efforts quickly, especially I mean organizing new local elections in northern Kosovo so that the next EU report shows that conditions have been met for the lifting of measures," the French Ambassador emphasizes and adds that the current dynamics of enlargement are "an opportunity to be seized". According to him, Kosovo has its place in the EU, and now is the time to make the necessary efforts to confirm that.