- UK reaffirms commitment to security in Western Balkans
through a three-year extension to NATO's peacekeeping support
mission Kosovo Force (KFOR)
- Announcement continues UK's longstanding support to Kosovo
both bilaterally and through NATO, having been the first country
to recognise Kosovo's independence
- Support underlines UK's unwavering commitment to NATO,
outlined in the Strategic Defence Review published this year
The British Armed Forces will continue to support a NATO-led
peacekeeping mission in Kosovo for at least another three years.
The UK has been a key contributor to the UN-mandated NATO Kosovo
Force (KFOR) since it first entered Kosovo in 1999 as a
peacekeeping force to bring peace and stability following the
conflict of the 1990s.
The commitment centres around a reserve force of hundreds of
British soldiers who could be deployed out to Kosovo to assist
the mission at short notice, if required. The last major UK
deployment to support the mission took place in 2023 after a
violent attack against police in northern Kosovo.
The extension of UK support to KFOR until at least December 2028
delivers on the government's ‘NATO first' approach as set out in
the Strategic Defence Review, while boosting security in the
Western Balkans.
The announcement comes as the Prime Minister hosts the Western
Balkans Leaders' Summit in London today to discuss closer
collaboration to tackle the shared challenge of irregular
migration.
Prime Minister said:
“The UK's commitment to peace and security in the Western Balkans
is unwavering. By extending our support to NATO's Kosovo Force,
we are demonstrating our role as a leading NATO ally and standing
by our values of stability and democracy.
“Working closely with our partners in the Western Balkans is
vital, not only for regional stability, but to ensure security
here at home.”
Kosovo is an important bilateral partner, with the UK having been
the first country to recognise its independence in 2008.
The international NATO peacekeeping mission, supported by more
than 30 nations, was established after NATO's 78-day air campaign
in 1999 against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, aimed at
preventing a humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo.
It comes as the UK Ministry of Defence prepares to launch a new
course targeted to Western Balkans nations that will commence
early next year, designed to help build understanding among
defence and security organisations on issues around protecting
civilian lives, including promoting the role of women in defence.
Training of this kind is widely viewed as one of the most
effective methods contributing towards conflict prevention and
would encourage the development of a network of peers in the
region who could be consulted in future. The UK will invite
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North
Macedonia, and Serbia to participate.
Minister for the Armed Forces, , said:
“Our troops have carried out hundreds of missions over the
decades in support of KFOR and this extension to our commitment
will keep Kosovo and the Western Balkans safer.
“Peacekeeping is a critical component of our commitment to keep
the UK secure at home and strong abroad, and I would like to
thank the hundreds of British troops who remain ready to step up
to keep the UK and Europe safe.”
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.
The support is financed through the government's Integrated
Security Fund, which is shared by multiple departments in
tackling national security challenges faced by the UK and
partners.
KFOR acts as one of the main security providers in Kosovo, with
troops contributed by more than 30 nations including Italy,
Turkey, Poland and the US, as well as the UK.
