Kurti: The CBK regulation is an independent decision, the deadline for proposals on the dinar has not yet expired

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated at a press conference that today was not yet over for submitting proposals regarding the issue of the dinar, adding that the regulation of the CBK was an independent decision.

"The CBK regulation is an independent decision, the CBK is above us. We are not the locomotive in this matter, we are the second carriage," Kurti said.

He added that it would be best for the National Bank of Serbia to respond to the CBK governor's letter with a letter.

"We did not ban the dinar, but the euro is the only means of payment. We want transparency. We want the Serbs in Kosovo to have more money. I want to explain to citizens that they can receive financial aid in dinars, but they will receive euros from commercial banks. The panic is in Belgrade, not in Pristina. We haven't heard a Serb say 'I don't want euros'," Kurti stated.

"We're not saying Serbs should take Albanian medicine, but the euro as currency," Kurti conveyed.

He emphasized that the Government of Kosovo did not lead this process.

"The CBK is an independent institution. When there was a dispute over license plates, the government was in charge, but now it's the CBK; the government does not lead this process. Belgrade doesn't care about the dinar; it wants to operate in cash because it wants to pay some elements obedient to Belgrade. The Serbs no longer have the Komercijalna Banka, and without that bank, political pressure can only be exerted through cash," the Prime Minister of Kosovo said.

Regarding the footage allegedly showing "specialized units of the Serbian Army just a few meters from the Kosovo border," Kurti claims they are "from yesterday."

"The footage is certainly from yesterday. It's not normal for military vehicles to be just a few meters from the border. We recorded them and watched if they would cross the border. I'm pleased they're not here today, and I hope they won't be. If Belgrade wants normalization, the army should be in barracks, not at the border," Kurti said.

When asked about dialogue with Belgrade, the Kosovo Prime Minister stated that Serbia was the one violating the dialogue.

"The dialogue doesn't depend solely on us. Five times I offered to sign an agreement; Serbia refused. Serbia is violating the dialogue," Kurti said.

Speaking about the war in Ukraine, he assessed that "there is a regime in the Balkans close to Russia on all issues, which it uses to destabilize the region."

He emphasized that he was proud of the results of the current government over the past three years, adding that “illegal activities“ had been reduced in the north.

Kurti assessed that employment "is higher than ever, domestic production has been encouraged, and the import and export of goods have been regulated."

He stated that corruption was being combated, public funds were being safeguarded, and Kosovo was in a better position according to Transparency International.

As he highlighted, illegal activities had decreased in the north, illegal roads had been closed, and marijuana growing labs.

"With the removal of illegal plates, security is higher," the Prime Minister of Kosovo stated.

As he emphasized, Kosovo had gone through difficulties from which it would emerge stronger.

"Let's not forget that we were attacked in the north; we share a border with an aggressive neighbor. We are facing illegal groups funded by our northern neighbor," Kurti stated.

He noted that there was a better situation in the agriculture, education, and energy sectors and that the government was working on promoting sports by investing in sports stadium infrastructure.

He also reminded that traveling with a Kosovo passport had been free for three months already.

For the next year, he announced the completion of ongoing projects, but also that in 2025, Albania would be Kosovo's main partner.

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