decreased to 135. 8 million euros, from 176. 2 million euros a year ago. regarding other macroeconomic indicators, it is worth noting that the average annual inflation rate until november 2020 was 0. 2 percent compared to the rate of 2. 7 percent recorded in 2019. this price movement trend reflects price dynamics in international markets, but also the decline of general economic activity in kosovo during this year. * * * now, let me move on to the developments in the country's financial system : in accordance with the new conditions that were created in the country's economy, the cbk was proactive in reacting quickly in order to maintain the normal functioning and stability of the financial system and, at the same time, to put the financial system at the service of the economy. * * * in this way, from the first days of the restrictive measures, the cbk activated the work continuity team, which had the task of monitoring and providing instructions that ensure the smooth running of the cbk and the financial system in general. in this way, the regular functioning of the payment and cash supply system throughout the country was ensured at all times, including the areas which have been isolated for a longer period of time. the central bank, since 2016 has developed and operates an interbank system of secure and stable payments, which is based on international standards and best practices. during this year the number of bank accounts has reached 2. 26 million accounts, or an increase in the number of bank accounts of 4. 3 percent, which can be justified by the need for businesses and individuals to open bank accounts to benefit from the government ’ s economic facilitation measures.. also, compared to the same period last year, there was an increase of 22. 4 percent of accounts that have access to e - banking, where the number of e - banking accounts until october 2020 is 393 thousand. also, during 2020, the cbk has fulfilled the provision of a qualitative and quantitative supply of euro banknotes and coins for the banking sector in order to settle cash transactions of the economy and citizens. in order to deal as effectively as possible with the created conditions, the cbk has continuously been in coordination with all institutions of kosovo, financial institutions in kosovo, chambers of commerce, as well as international financial institutions, holding very frequent meetings to ensure that adequate and timely measures are taken against the needs of the economy. from the beginning, the cbk was part of the inter - institutional group

issued a progress report on its views on the development of the " sepa for cards ". the challenge in this area is to ensure a successful transition to a more integrated market while at the same time preserving the efficiency and low cost levels that characterise existing national payment card schemes. sepa migration should not lead to any deterioration in conditions for cardholders and merchants. this is an area that is being closely monitored by the eurosystem and will be the subject of discussions with all of those involved. while there is strong support from the eurosystem and the eu commission for sepa, it remains primarily a market - driven project. the role of the eurosystem ( of which the bank is part ) in relation to sepa is that of a catalyst, or facilitator, while leaving its implementation to the private sector. however, the eurosystem works actively with the epc - the european payments council - and market participants to ensure that the necessary planning and preparatory work is carried out in a coordinated way. since its formation in 2002, the epc has acted as the european banking industry's decision - making and co - ordination body for sepa, and has made significant progress towards making the project a reality, and creating a solid foundation upon which it can be built. in practical terms, the epc is the body responsible for defining the rules, procedures and standards that will apply to the new sepacompliant payment instruments that the banks will use to develop competitive products to offer to their customers. as the body with primary responsibility for the implementation of sepa in ireland, i'd like to take this opportunity to commend ipso on the speedy preparation of the irish national sepa migration plan, which was agreed and signed off by the chief executives of all ipso member banks in december last year ; ireland was in fact one of the first countries to complete its national sepa migration plan. it is essential that the sepa implementation and migration process include the necessary degree of engagement with all interested parties. in this regard, i am pleased to see that a sepa stakeholder forum has been established by ipso and has already held two meetings, at which government departments, public utilities, other direct debit originators and business organisations have all been represented. this is a development that the central bank very much encourages, and i hope that the forum, and conferences like this one, will play a significant role in increasing public awareness of sepa over the