Quint embassies in Pristina call for suspension of regulation on cash transactions

PRISTINA - The embassies of Quint states (France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US) in Pristina have called for a suspension of a decision by the so-called Kosovo's central bank to make the euro the only legal tender for cash transactions in Kosovo-Metohija from February 1.

"The Quint calls for the suspension of the enforcement of the regulation to allow a sufficiently long period of transition, and for clear and effective public communication", the embassies said in a joint statement on Sunday.

The statement said the decision, which "aims to reduce counterfeit cash, safeguard financial stability, as well as increase the transparency of cash flows in Kosovo," "nevertheless raises concerns with regard to the impact on the Serb-majority communities in particular."

"We are concerned about the impact of the regulation in particular on schools and hospitals, for which no alternative process seems viable at the moment. The regulation will also have a direct impact on the everyday lives of the overwhelming majority of Kosovo Serbs who receive payments/ financial assistance from Serbia," the statement noted.

"The issue should be discussed further in the framework of the EU Facilitated Dialogue," the embassies also said.

The statement was released after the Quint ambassadors and the head of the EU office in Pristina met with Pristina's PM Albin Kurti on Friday.