The UK’s contribution to the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) Mission in
Kosovo will continue until at least 2026, the Minister for the
Armed Forces, , has announced during a visit
to the region.
During today’s visit to Pristina, he held conversations with
Kosovo’s President, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, and Prime Minister,
Albin Kurti, as well as discussions with Defence Minister Armend
Mehaj, and Commander of the KFOR Mission.
Kosovo is an important partner, with the UK having been the first
country to recognise its independence in 2008, and UK forces have
been undertaking a key role in peacekeeping and bolstering
security in the region for more than two decades.
Minister for the Armed Forces, , said:
It was a pleasure to meet with the Kosovan President and Prime
Minister today and to announce the UK’s further commitment to
NATO’s Kosovo Force.
The extension of our commitment to KFOR underlines our unwavering
commitment to supporting security in the Western Balkans region
The UK has been a key contributor to the UN-mandated NATO force
since it first entered Kosovo in 1999 as a peacekeeping force to
bring peace and stability following the conflict of the 1990s.
UK forces have worked to enhance KFOR’s Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability, significantly
increasing the mission commanders’ situational awareness –
ensuring the operation can provide a safe and secure environment
for the entire population.
KFOR acts as one of the main security providers in Kosovo, with
troops contributed by some 30 nations including Italy, Turkey,
Poland and the US, as well as the UK. The UK’s contribution
includes a battalion-sized high readiness Strategic Reserved
Force based in the UK, ready to deploy at short notice.
The Minister also visited Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)
on Monday, where he met the Minister of Defence, Zukan Helez; the
Chief of Armed Forces General Senad Masovic; Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Josip Brkic; as well as the Commanders of EUFOR
and NATO HQ Sarajevo.
Discussions focussed on BiH’s progress towards Euro-Atlantic
alignment and on the United Kingdom’s enduring support for the
country’s security and sovereignty, including through joint
training, the provision of equipment and the exchange of
expertise.
The Minister gave the keynote speech at the Institute for
Geopolitics, Economy and Security conference in Sarajevo focusing
on the UK’s partnership with BiH on defence and security matters.
