The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK) and the European Central Bank (ECB) have signed a Cooperation Agreement in the field of combating counterfeiting of euro banknotes, further strengthening the institutional commitment to protecting the integrity of cash in circulation and ensuring the financial stability of the country.
CBK Governor Ismaili and ECB President Lagarde signed this agreement, which marks an important moment in alignment with European Union standards and best practices.
“The ECB's Counterfeit Monitoring System (CMS) will enable us to identify and analyze counterfeit euro banknotes, making the fight against this phenomenon more efficient,” emphasized Governor Ismaili.
Through this agreement, the CBK will have access to the ECB's operational mechanisms, as well as be integrated into the professional cooperation network with the Eurosystem central banks and partner institutions outside the euro area, including the Western Balkan countries.
This cooperation is the result of an inter-institutional effort in Kosovo, led by the CBK in coordination with international partners, particularly the European Union Office in Kosovo.
"This cooperation paves the way for the advancement of our institutional, technical and operational capacities, in a joint effort to combat a phenomenon that requires continuous commitment and a systematic approach," the CBK statement said.
The agreement also supports the establishment of the National Anti-Counterfeiting Center and the National Counterfeiting Monitoring System in Kosovo, as part of the European Union's TAIEX project.
The CBK reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening internal capacities, modernizing and automating cash processing in accordance with Eurosystem standards, as well as increasing public awareness in this area.
"We are committed to further advancing towards full integration into the common practices of the European Union," the CBK announcement concludes. /Telegraph/
