The Prime Minister of Kosovo and Serbia’s President joined Council members in a heated dialogue centred on new guidelines, which got here into drive on 1 February.
The Central Financial institution of Kosovo regulation made the Euro, not the Serbian dinar, the one foreign money allowed for money transactions. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, however it isn’t acknowledged by Serbia.
Briefing the Council, Caroline Ziadeh, the Particular Consultant of the Secretary-Basic and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), stated the brand new rules will have an effect on tens of hundreds of Kosovo-Serbs residing in 4 northern municipalities and, extra broadly, the economic system, which relies on their buying energy.
She said restricted public clarification was supplied, even supposing, since 1999, the dinar has served because the de facto main foreign money for money and industrial transactions in Kosovo-Serb majority areas.
“Regardless which facet takes them and what justifications are offered, and within the absence of unambiguous public communications, such actions predictably exacerbate an surroundings of insecurity and distrust,” she stated, including that unilateral actions are “trigger for excellent concern”.
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Latest incidents
Regardless of constructive momentum on the finish of 2023, from an vitality street map to customs documentation, she raised issues about current incidents.
On Thursday, a cash-transfer truck was prevented entry into Kosovo, whereas some 4 million dinars confiscated by the Kosovo police on 3 February within the Pejë/Peć municipality nonetheless await judicial and administrative motion, she stated.
Tensions between authorities in Kosovo and Serbia have periodically erupted lately, together with variations over vehicle licence plates and anti-smuggling operations alongside spates of violence.
“Neither the Central Financial institution of Kosovo’s new regulation, nor these current Kosovo police operations, have contributed to de-escalation, as repeatedly referred to as for by worldwide interlocutors,” she stated.
Belgrade and Pristina talks
Kosovo and Serbia have been concerned in European Union-led talks for greater than a decade with a view to normalizing relations, however negotiations stalled final September following a shootout between a Serbian man and Kosovo police that left 4 lifeless.
Calling on Pristina and Belgrade to proceed their dialogue, the Particular Consultant stated that upholding the rule of regulation is crucial, and all associated actions have to be anchored within the precept of human rights.
“It’s essential that efforts in direction of negotiated and mutually accepted options don’t falter,” she stated. “Steady effort to construct higher mutual belief and respect are the one viable path to stability, prosperity and safety.”
For a full abstract of this and different conferences, go to UN Conferences Protection in English and French.
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