Deputy Governor Fusha Participates in the Balkan Payments Forum 2026

Tirana, Albania (May 14th, 2026) – Deputy Governor for Banking Operations of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo Mr. Dardan Fusha, participated in the “Balkan Payments Forum 2026”, a regional event focused on the developments in payments, financial innovation, digital transformation, and regional financial integration, bringing together representatives of central banks, international financial institutions, the banking and fintech industry, as well as payments experts from the region and the European Union.

Deputy Governor Fusha participated in the high-level opening panel, which addressed the regulatory outlook for the Balkan region and the strategic priorities shaping the future of payments and financial services.

During the discussion, Mr. Fusha emphasized that the transformation of payments in the region is already actively progressing through legal reforms, modernization of payment infrastructures, interoperability initiatives, and alignment with European standards.

He highlighted the importance of Kosovo’s ongoing reforms in the field of payments, including progress toward SEPA integration, the development of the TIPS Clone instant payments infrastructure, the implementation of the new Law on Payment Services, and preparations for Open Banking. In this context, he stressed that SEPA integration is expected to enable faster, more transparent, and lower-cost payments for citizens and businesses, while simultaneously increasing the accessibility, visibility, and cooperation opportunities of Kosovo businesses with international partners and platforms, as well as strengthening investor confidence and economic integration with the European market.

Mr. Fusha also underlined the importance of regional cooperation and interoperability in support of financial inclusion, innovation, more efficient cross-border payments, and broader economic development, while at the same time emphasizing the need to preserve financial stability, operational resilience, cybersecurity, and consumer protection throughout this transformation process.

The participation of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo in this forum reflects its continued commitment to advancing payments modernization, strengthening regional cooperation, and supporting Kosovo’s integration into European financial infrastructures and standards.