In the “Film City” camp in Pristina, the ceremony of the change of command of KFOR from Major General Ozkan Ulutash to the new commander Enrico Barduani was held.<\/p>\n
The ceremony was attended by President Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, ministers and foreign ambassadors in Kosovo.<\/p>\n
Commander of the Allied Joint Forces Command in Naples, Admiral Stuart B. Munsch said that governments acting unilaterally in the dialogue de-escalate domestic and regional tensions, while also damaging their reputation as reliable international partners.<\/p>\n
“NATO and KFOR fully support the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue facilitated by the EU as a framework for resolving outstanding issues. I say it again, NATO and KFOR fully support the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue facilitated by the EU as a framework for resolving outstanding issues. To act outside of this dialogue, to act without real commitment to this dialogue, or to argue about what should be included or excluded from this dialogue, are actions that will achieve no meaningful security. Furthermore, governments acting unilaterally outside of this dialogue unnecessarily escalate domestic and regional tensions and unnecessarily damage their reputation as reliable international partners,” he stated.<\/p>\n
In her speech during this ceremony, President Osmani spoke about the cooperation of Kosovo’s institutions with the NATO mission, mentioning the challenges during these years.<\/p>\n
“Of course, during these 25 years we have also faced challenges, the most important of which is the act of aggression we faced in September of last year. I want to thank the NATO forces that stood with us and confronted and stopped that aggression, and I want to especially thank General Ulutash for making sure that we quadrupled the amount of not only equipment, but also people, men and women in uniform, who help us keep our country safe together with the Kosovo Police and other security institutions. So, General Ulutash, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your professionalism, for your dedication and for the close cooperation with all Kosovo institutions in maintaining peace and security in our country”, she declared.<\/p>\n
Osmani said that the people of Kosovo will continue to work closely with the KFOR mission.<\/p>\n
“For over 25 years you have been with us every step of the way to make the Republic of Kosovo a safe, calm and peaceful country. In the 75 years of NATO’s history, there is not a single leader of NATO members who does not agree that the most successful, not only the largest and longest, but also the most successful mission of NATO- s is that of KFOR… On behalf of my country, I want to show and commit once again that the people of Kosovo and our institutions will continue to work side by side with KFOR, as well as with all our international partners to ensure that it will remain a peaceful, calm and safe country as it is, one that offers security and prosperity to all its citizens, regardless of their origin”, said Osmani.<\/p>\n
The current commander of KFOR, Ozkan Ulutash, said that unfortunately there are still many challenges and tension in Kosovo.<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately, many challenges remain and tensions still persist. The EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which NATO and KFOR on the ground fully support as the only framework for a lasting resolution of the issues, continues to face obstacles. However, I remain optimistic that with perseverance, patience and a constructive approach from all countries, these obstacles can be overcome. During my mandate, KFOR has successfully contributed to maintaining a peaceful and safe environment throughout Kosovo, in accordance with our long-term UN mandate, through a clearly flexible and adaptable attitude, we have helped to prevent risks, de-escalations and situations that could have led to incidents or instability. \u00a0We have further strengthened our role as an impartial force that works with all communities to foster a sense of security for all people,” said Ulutash.<\/p>\n
After accepting the command, the new KFOR commander Enrico Barduani said that the security situation continues to evolve and that unity is vital.<\/p>\n
“After 25 years of NATO’s presence in Kosovo, KFOR has contributed to the consolidation of a calm and safe environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo. However, challenges remain and the security situation continues to evolve \u2013 so it is vital that we continue to move forward together. It is in this spirit that I have chosen the following Latin motto for my mandate: “Unitas omnia vincit” (the unity of all people wins). Unity is essential if we achieve our mission”, he concluded.<\/p>\n
At the KFOR change of command ceremony, President Osmani honored General Ulutash with a presidential military medal for his service as commander of this mission in Kosovo.\/Kosovapress<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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In the “Film City” camp in Pristina, the ceremony of the change of command of KFOR from Major General Ozkan Ulutash to the new commander Enrico Barduani was held. The ceremony was attended by President Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, ministers and foreign ambassadors in Kosovo. Commander of the Allied Joint Forces Command in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":72174,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[163,1803],"tags":[6938,817,150,243,151,791,301],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n