Kosovo c-bank unveils euro-only transition plan

The plan, which is focused on the Serb communities, involves easing the conditions for opening bank accounts, a suspension of the central bank fees for establishing branches and offices, and boosting mobile banking services and services via ATMs, the central bank said in a press release on Monday.

The euro-only rule entered into force on February 1 despite a call for suspension issued by the U.S., the UK, Germany, Italy and France, citing concern on the impacts the rule could have on dinar-dependent communities.

The central bank has said that other currencies can still be used in saving accounts, non-euro bank accounts and international non-euro payments.

According to media reports, hundreds of Serbs gathered in North Mitrovica on Monday to protest against the new regulations.

Tensions between Belgrade and Pristina peaked last May when 30 NATO soldiers were injured while confronting ethnic Serb protesters in northern Kosovo after newly-elected ethnic Albanian mayors attempted to take office.