Saturday, February 9, 2013

NATO-Trained Kosovo Army To Be Activated in June 112

 

But the Turkish defense minister visits, Kosovo

 

kosovo 
Kosovo is planning to convert its lightly-armed Kosovo Security Force into a full-fledged army.
Established in 2009, the force consists of 2,500 active and 800 reserve members and is primarily responsible for crisis response.

Over the past few years, it has been intensively trained by KFOR, which reports to NATO. Based on the Kosovo Security Force’s success, the alliance will decide on the future of the Kosovo army.

“NATO nations are considering the right time for the KSF final endorsement,” KFOR spokesman Alexander Willing said. “The North Atlantic Council, NATO’s highest decision-making body, will make a political decision based on the assessment of NATO’s military authorities,” he added.

The council is expected to decide on the force’s status at its June meeting.
Voice of Russia, SETimes.com


PRISTINA
Turkish National Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz on Friday met with Kosovar Security Force Minister Agim Ceku in Pristina.
Minister Yilmaz arrived in Kosovo's capital city of Pristina after completing talks in Albania.
Minister Agim Ceku welcomed Yilmaz to Pristina with a military ceremony.
The two ministers held a joint press conference after a tete-a-tete meeting.
Minister Ceku indicated that they had a very positive meeting with Yilmaz and that they received Turkish support in diverse fields.
"I must say that my dear friend Ismet Yilmaz arrived here with good news. The Turkish Parliament has allocated a budget to assist Kosovo and the budget was approved by the Turkish Parliament," Ceku noted.
"Turkey's assistance will be utilized in the military field and will add strength to Kosovar security forces," Ceku stressed.
"I will visit a military fair in Turkey in May along with Ismet Yilmaz," Ceku said.
"To date, 150 Kosovar youth received education in Turkish military schools. At the present time, 20 Kosovar students are about to complete their education on becoming helicopter pilots," Ceku stated.
Ismet Yilmaz, in his part, said that Turkey would always be on the side of Kosovo.
Touching on the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia, Ismet Yilmaz said that Turkey supported such a dialogue.
We favor solving all problems by dialogue, Yilmaz underlined.
As Turkey, we will extend all forms of support to Kosovo, Yilmaz emphasized.
Minister Yilmaz will meet with Public Administration Minister Mahir Jagcilar and Parliament Speaker Jakup Krasniqi later in the day.

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