During Thursday’s confrontation at the UN Security Council, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti reiterated his call for Serbian President Aleksander Vucic to sign the EU-mediated Brussels agreement. However, Vucic declined, leading to a reprimand from the council president for his interruptions and shouting during the session.
Vucic requested to address the council following the Kosovo Central Bank’s recent publication of regulations mandating the euro as the sole legal tender within the country’s financial system, with limited exceptions. Belgrade objected to these decisions, particularly as some Kosovo Serbs continue to receive payments in dinars from Serbia and use them locally. The European Union and several member states have condemned Kosovo’s move as “unilateral,” fearing it may escalate tensions between the two countries.
In response to accusations of unilateral actions regarding the single currency rule, Kurti suggested that both leaders could sign the Brussels agreement as a show of “bilateral action.” Despite repeated calls to sign the document, Vucic did not accept the offer. This reluctance to sign the agreement contrasts with the EU’s position, which asserts that the verbal agreement alone holds legal weight.
However, in December, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic formally stated in a letter to Brussels that Serbia does not consider the Brussels or Ohrid agreements legally binding and will not adhere to many of their provisions. Kurti emphasized the importance of the basic agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, facilitated by the EU, for regional peace, expressing concerns about Serbia’s commitment to peaceful relations due to its refusal to sign it.
During his speech, Vucic denounced Kosovo’s actions, particularly what he described as a ‘ban’ on the Serbian dinar, as “systemic attacks” and “crimes against humanity.” He argued that life for Kosovo Serbs is becoming increasingly difficult, accusing Kurti of obstructing the functioning of essential health, cultural, and educational institutions.
Vucic stated, “We requested this meeting due to the actions of the so-called Bank of Kosovo in banning the dinar. The so-called leadership continues to target the Serbian population, particularly as their survival in the southern province relies on Serbia’s budget.”
Euractiv clarified that there is no ban on the Serbian dinar in Kosovo, as the decision has been based on the constitution and the euro’s legal tender status since 2022. Furthermore, the regulations apply to all currencies, including the dollar, pound, and lek, not just the dinar.
Kurti countered in his speech, stating, “The central bank’s regulation does not prevent Serbia from providing financial support. Any suggestion otherwise is false propaganda aimed at stoking ethnic tensions.”
He clarified that payments from Serbia to Kosovo can still be made, but they must adhere to official banking channels and utilize the country’s official currency, the euro. Kurti further stated that euro payments to Kosovo Serbs are regularly processed without issue, with multiple banks and financial institutions available to facilitate the process efficiently.
The prime minister emphasized that the decision to regulate the entry of foreign currency aligns with national law, as well as international and EU best practices aimed at preventing financial crimes. He asserted that this regulation would deter illicit funds from being physically transported across Kosovo’s borders and used by criminal organizations.
“Belgrade’s outcry over the central bank regulation is rooted in the imminent disruption of its illicit cash flow into Kosovo, rather than genuine concern for the welfare of Serbian citizens,” he remarked.
In his initial address, Kurti presented a series of statistics and figures regarding the financial and social support provided to Kosovo Serbs, as well as their rights and privileges.
“We proudly uphold the Constitution, which includes robust measures for safeguarding minority rights. This includes allocating 20 guaranteed seats in the parliament out of 120, with 10 specifically designated for Serbs. Additionally, Serbs in Kosovo oversee 10 out of 38 municipalities, and the Serbian language holds official status throughout the region. The notion that Kosovo engages in ethnic cleansing or persecution against the Serbian community is simply false and has been refuted by numerous international organizations,” Kurti affirmed.
He referenced various international reports and organizations that have independently debunked many of Vucic’s assertions, particularly regarding alleged attempts to ethnically cleanse Serbs from Kosovo or claims of persecution or discrimination against Kosovo Serbs.
Kurti also highlighted international reports praising Kosovo for significant advancements in democracy, governance, transparency, media freedom, and the economy, contrasting this with Serbia’s noted democratic regression.
“The post-war actions of Serbia, characterized by violence and authoritarianism, are evident. From promoting genocide denial to forcibly enforcing it, Serbia continues to intimidate Kosovo,” he concluded.
At the outset of his address, Kurti highlighted the “irony” in facing accusations from Serbia regarding ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, given Vucic’s role as minister of information in the government of Slobodan Milosevic, which perpetrated genocide, ethnic cleansing, and numerous massacres in the 1990s.
Following the speeches of both leaders, the Russian representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, defended Serbia, alleging ethnic attacks on Serbs and their property by Kosovo and drawing parallels between Kurti’s actions and those of Israel in Gaza.
Conversely, Switzerland, France, Slovenia, the UK, and others urged Serbia to address the Banjska terrorist attack, including extraditing individuals wanted internationally in connection with it.
Throughout his remarks, Kurti pledged to conduct extensive information campaigns on the transition to the euro in Serbian for the Kosovo Serb community. He assured them of support at every stage and guaranteed that no one would be left without access to funds or their rights.
Although both leaders were allowed to respond to each other’s statements, Vucic insisted on speaking for a third time. When the council president declined and moved to adjourn the session, Vucic loudly protested in the assembly hall and was informed by the president, “Sir, you no longer have the floor.”
While the entire session was televised in Kosovo, mainstream channels in Serbia cut the footage after Vucic’s speech, depriving citizens of the opportunity to hear Kurti’s remarks.
