US condemns Kosovo’s closure of Serbian offices, citing regional stability concerns.
At a Glance
- Kosovo closed six Serbian bank offices, causing criticism from the US, EU, and Serbia.
- The closures were to enforce a ban on cash transactions in any currency other than the euro.
- The US and international community express significant disapproval of Kosovo’s actions.
- US State Department warns Kosovo’s Prime Minister that these decisions risk the opportunities for Kosovo.
Escalation in Kosovo
Kosovo’s decision to close several Serbian offices on its territory has sparked considerable international backlash. This month, Kosovo took action to shut down six Serbian bank offices, ostensibly to enforce a regulation prohibiting cash transactions in any currency other than the euro. This decision led to the confiscation of 1.6 million euros and over 74 million Serbian dinars, a measure defended by Kosovo’s Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla as “the rule of law and order.” International entities, including the United States and the European Union, have vocally condemned these actions.
Serbia’s pointman for Kosovo, Petar Petkovic, has described the closures as “a violent attack on the dialogue itself,” emphasizing how such moves could further destabilize the region. The US State Department echoed these concerns, citing unease over the enforcement of Kosovo’s regulation restricting the use of the Serbian dinar. Kosovo’s northern municipalities, predominantly inhabited by ethnic Serbs, rely significantly on the Serbian dinar, despite Kosovo’s independence from Serbia in 2008.
US, EU Criticize Kosovo Over Serbian Post Office Closures – Bloomberg https://t.co/6hpdE55tNq #Kosovo
— BALKAN NEWS (@balkannews) August 6, 2024
International Disapproval
Adding to the complexity, on August 5, 2024, Kosovo’s government also closed nine Serbian post offices in northern Kosovo. The European Union described this decision as “unilateral and uncoordinated,” violating the agreements facilitated by the EU Dialogue. The US, Britain, and the OSCE criticized these closures, with Matt Miller, Secretary Blinken’s spokesperson, stressing that Kosovo’s uncoordinated actions risk jeopardizing strategic opportunities fostered by international allies.
Like the bank closures, the post office shutdowns have been condemned by Serbia and the EU. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić viewed the closure of Serbian post offices as a provocative action that jeopardizes regional stability. These reactions underscore the sensitive geopolitical atmosphere in the Balkans and the challenges to peace and diplomatic progress.
The Role of the International Community
The international community’s involvement in Kosovo-Serbia relations remains crucial. NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers have already increased their presence along the Kosovo-Serbia border due to heightened unrest in northern Mitrovica. Ongoing EU-facilitated talks aimed at normalization have seen limited progress over the past 13 years, making the need for sustained international engagement even more imperative.
“The United States does not support any moves to change the current status of the Mitrovica Bridge at this time,” stated a US State Department representative, underscoring the risks posed by unilateral actions. Opening the bridge to vehicle traffic could exacerbate tensions, endangering both local populations and peacekeepers.
The ongoing situation highlights the volatile nature of the Kosovo-Serbia dynamic and underscores the importance of thorough, coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to uphold regional stability and peace.
https://x.com/DecaniMonastery/status/1820577502705889403
