Money (BetaPhoto/Milos Miskov)
In a statement handed to the media on Jan. 28, the Big Five countries -- U.S., Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom call for the suspension of the enforcement of a provision in the Central Bank of Kosovo's rulebook which states that the euro is the only currency for cash payments in Kosovo.
The statement underscores that the representatives of the Big Five stressed that the provision, expected to come into force on Feb. 1, has raised concerns over its effect on Serb majority communities.
"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 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 statement reads.
According to the announcement, the issue needs to be discussed within the European Union-mediated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.
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