By Talha Ozturk
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – Kosovo on Thursday adopted the euro for cash and payment transactions, effectively eliminating the Serbian dinar, despite concerns expressed by ethnic Serbians living in the country's north.
The Central Bank announced the decision on Jan. 18, saying currencies other than the euro can only be used in Kosovo for physical safekeeping or bank accounts.
The move sparked outrage because, until now, ethnic Serbian communities in Kosovo had used the dinar, the official currency of neighboring Serbia, in both state and commercial institutions. Many local Serbs have an attachment or even allegiance to Serbia.
"No one tells us anything about this. We only hear about it through the media. Nobody tells us what will happen. I anticipate that it will be resolved quickly, as we need to receive our pension within 10 days,” Stanica Trajkovic, a local Serb living near the capital Pristina, told Anadolu.
"I hope it is decided whether we will receive the money in euros or dinars, but I believe our dinar is valid," Trajkovic said, clearly confused by the situation.
Activist Nevenka Rikalo said the decision to ban the Serbian dinar in Kosovo violates the human rights of Serbs living in the country.
"Many people will be upset, nervous, and even consider leaving Kosovo because denying the right to receive money earned throughout our lives will be a huge challenge," said Rikalo.
Earlier on Wednesday, Kosovo's First Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi said at a press conference that the government will focus entirely on informing businesses and citizens in the process, which he called the “transitional phase.”
Western countries, including the US, France, Italy, Germany, and UK, have already urged Kosovo to halt implementation of the currency regulation.