Admiral Dragone: Stability of the Western Balkans paramount for NATO, no indications of troop reduction in Kosovo

The stability of the Western Balkans and the region is paramount for NATO, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, said for Kosovo Online, noting that there are no indications that a reduction of troops in Kosovo could take place.

Admiral Dragone emphasized that NATO regularly organizes visits to its missions, activities, and operations in order to gain direct insight into the situation on the ground and meet with deployed military personnel.

“In that context, we visited Kosovo and the KFOR mission, because Kosovo is an important actor in the regional Western Balkans stability. NATO remains a key security actor, committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all in Kosovo,” Dragone said.

He pointed out that the delegation of the NATO Military Committee stayed in Kosovo with 32 generals and admirals from NATO member states.

“This allowed them to have a direct exposure to what is the situation now in Kosovo. Such firsthand observation will be of great importance upon their return to Brussels, especially in the context of future discussions, meetings, and decision-making processes at NATO headquarters,” he said.

Dragone recalled that the role of KFOR from the very beginning has been to maintain and guarantee a safe and secure environment for all people living in Kosovo, as well as freedom of movement.

“The stability of the Western Balkans and the region is paramount for NATO. The KFOR mission has, from the very beginning, had the role of preserving and guaranteeing a safe and secure environment for all people living in Kosovo, as well as freedom of movement. KFOR also monitors the roadmap of the Kosovo Security Force within the mandate defined by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244,” he said.

Asked whether NATO plans to reduce its troops in Kosovo, Admiral Dragone stressed that he has no such information, nor any indication that this will happen.

“NATO conducts periodic reviews and assessments of all its missions, and on that basis decides what is the best solution for fulfilling the mission, including personnel levels. For example, if you recall, at the end of 2023, around September, we had quite serious troubles in the north, which is why NATO decided to increase the number of KFOR personnel by one thousand. So, we simply adapt. As for your question, I have no rumors or indications that there will be a reduction,” he concluded.

During its two-day visit to Kosovo, the NATO Military Committee delegation held meetings with numerous officials in Pristina.