The United Kingdom will continue its commitment to NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) Mission in Kosovo until at least 2026. The announcement was made by the Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey during a visit to the region.

Heappey held conversations with President Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister Albin Kurti as well as Defense Minister Armend Mehaj and Commander of the KFOR Mission, whom he guaranteed the enduring support of the UK towards the country.

“It was a pleasure to meet with the Kosovan President and Prime Minister 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,” said Heappey.

KFOR acts as one of the main security providers in Kosovo, with troops contributed by some 30 nations.

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.

Minister Heappey also guaranteed Kosovan leaders that the UK is committed to seeing Kosovo become a member of the European Union and NATO, while calling the security situation in the north of the country “a challenge”.

The Minister earlier visited Sarajevo, with discussions focusing on Bosnia and Hercegovina’s progress towards Euro-Atlantic alignment and 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.