Gecaj: Joint exercises of the KSF and the Albanian army aligned with NATO standards

Security expert from Pristina, Hysen Gecaj, says that although the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) cooperates closely with many countries, its military cooperation with Albania is more significant and specific due to easier communication, since both sides speak Albanian, and because the training grounds where exercises are conducted are nearby, which reduces costs.

“They cooperate in various ways. Usually, these are joint exercises held on the territory of one or the other country, as well as joint cadet training. The KSF currently has several cadets studying at the Albanian Military Academy, and Albania can send its cadets here to gain new experience and knowledge about how things function in Kosovo,” Gecaj told Kosovo Online.

The goal of this cooperation, he says, is to align methods of operation, command structures, and officer preparation, from basic staff levels to the highest ranks.

“This facilitates potential cooperation between the two armies on the battlefield, should it ever come to that,” Gecaj noted.

He said it is an advantage for the KSF that Albania is nearby, and that all education and activities are conducted in Albanian. He also emphasized that the training terrains are well-adapted for certain scenarios, and the combination of training grounds is very beneficial for both Albania and Kosovo.

“For example, they can use the Babaj Boks training ground near Djakovica in Kosovo, while Kosovo can use the training grounds in Albania, which are much larger and offer more space for other purposes, such as artillery training,” Gecaj pointed out.

All the joint exercises and the scientific knowledge gained through this cooperation, he stressed, are aligned with NATO standards. In that sense, the KSF benefits from cooperation with the Albanian army, which is part of NATO and is more familiar with those standards than the KSF.

“In recent times, the KSF has reached an impressive level. Non-commissioned officers, officers, and soldiers have understood those standards and now carry out their daily duties in the same way as the armies of NATO, all European NATO member states, and the United States,” the security expert said.

Kosovo, he added, does not cooperate only with Albania but also has close military cooperation with other countries, such as the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. To a lesser extent and on a lower level, there is also cooperation with North Macedonia, which trains some cadets from Kosovo, as well as Turkey and many other countries.