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| 100 Serbian dinars with the head of Nikola Tesla on a black table (archive) |
The Central Bank of Kosovo has approved a regulation for cash operations, stipulating that the only currency allowed for cash transactions in Kosovo is the euro. This regulation, set to take effect on February 1, has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from the Serbian List, labeling it as an "expulsion of Serbs" from the regions they inhabit in Kosovo.
"In light of all forms of institutional violence used against the Serbian people by the authoritarian regime of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, which failed to expel all Serbs from Kosovo, he has now decided to ban the dinar in Kosovo and thus directly threaten the physical survival of the Serbian people," stated the Serbian List in response.
The regulation specifies that non-euro currencies can only be used to preserve "in physical form or in bank accounts" and can be used for international payments and exchange. However, the exchange, according to the Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK), can only be done through institutions licensed by the CBK for this service.
In Kosovo, Serbian-majority settlements predominantly use the Serbian dinar for transactions. Those working in Serbian institutions in Kosovo receive their salaries in dinars, and pensions, child allowances, and social assistance are also paid in dinars according to the Serbian system.
The move has prompted concerns about the potential impact on the Serbian population in Kosovo, and the Serbian List has characterized it as a threat to the survival of the Serbian people. The CBK's decision has raised tensions and led to accusations of attempting to limit the use of the Serbian dinar in Kosovo.
So far, dinars in Kosovo circulate through the Serbian public company "Posta e Serbisë," which operates in Serbian-inhabited areas in Kosovo. There are also dinar accounts in the banks "Postanska stedionica" (Postal Savings) and "NLB Komercijalna banka."
The controversy has not only triggered local reactions but has also gained attention at the international level. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić previously mentioned the possibility of Kosovo restricting transactions with dinars. The situation remains tense, and the implementation of the regulation could have significant implications for the economic dynamics in Kosovo.