NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated that the Alliance will not allow the creation of a security vacuum in the Western Balkans region, emphasizing that the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo will remain \u201cstrong and mission-ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking about North Macedonia\u2019s role within the Alliance during today\u2019s visit to Skopje, Rutte said that stability in the Western Balkans is of strategic importance to NATO.<\/p>\n
He thanked the official authorities in Skopje for their contribution to the KFOR mission in Kosovo, stressing that this mission \u201ccontinues to play a fundamental role in supporting lasting security, for the benefit of all people living in Kosovo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to ensure that KFOR remains strong and capable of fulfilling its mission,\u201d he said, adding that cooperation among Allies is essential for shared security.<\/p>\n
The KFOR mission was deployed to Kosovo in June 1999, following the end of the war, with the aim of creating a safe environment and preventing a return to violence. It remains NATO\u2019s longest-running operation and one of its largest active missions.<\/p>\n
Initially, the multinational force numbered over 50,000 troops, whereas today it consists of around 4,700 soldiers. Approximately 590 of them are from the United States.<\/p>\n
Rutte\u2019s statements come at a time when, in recent months, discussions have increased about the possibility of reviewing U.S. engagement in NATO\u2019s external missions, including Kosovo.<\/p>\n
However, the Pentagon has said that there is no announcement regarding any change in the deployment of forces within KFOR.<\/p>\n
In Kosovo, KFOR continues to be responsible for security along the land border with Serbia and for ensuring a safe and secure environment, particularly in the north of the country, where tensions remain due to Serbia\u2019s non-recognition of Kosovo\u2019s independence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated that the Alliance will not allow the creation of a security vacuum in the Western Balkans region, emphasizing that the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo will remain \u201cstrong and mission-ready.\u201d Speaking about North Macedonia\u2019s role within the Alliance during today\u2019s visit to Skopje, Rutte said that stability in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":83214,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[153,1803],"tags":[243,151],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n