NATO's Role in Kosovo

NATO has been leading a peace-support operation in Kosovo since June 1999 in support of wider international efforts to build peace and stability in the area.

Highlights

NATO has been leading a peace-support operation in Kosovo – the Kosovo Force (KFOR) – since June 1999.
KFOR was established when NATO’s 78-day air campaign against Milosevic’s regime, aimed at putting an end to violence in Kosovo, was over.
The operation derives its mandate from United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and the Military-Technical Agreement between NATO, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia.
KFOR’s original objectives were to deter renewed hostilities, establish a secure environment and ensure public safety and order, demilitarise the Kosovo Liberation Army, support the international humanitarian effort and coordinate with the international civil presence.
Today, KFOR continues to contribute towards maintaining a safe and secure environment in Kosovo and freedom of movement for all.
NATO strongly supports the Belgrade-Pristina EU-brokered Normalisation Agreement (2013).
The increased tensions in the region throughout 2023 have led NATO to temporarily deploy extra troops to ensure KFOR has the forces it needs to fulfil its United Nations (UN) mandate impartially.

NATO strongly supports the Belgrade-Pristina EU-brokered Normalisation Agreement

(2013).

Today, approximately 4,500 troops from the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR), provided by 28 countries continue to work towards maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people living in Kosovo.

Throughout Kosovo, KFOR is cooperating and coordinating with the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and other international actors to support the development of a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic and peaceful Kosovo. In April 2013, Belgrade and Pristina reached an Agreement on Normalisation, which is helping to improve relations between both parties while giving momentum to the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans. NATO and KFOR stand ready to support the implementation of this agreement within its means and capabilities.

Over time, as the security situation has improved, NATO has been gradually adjusting KFOR’s force posture towards a smaller and more flexible force with fewer static tasks. All adjustments to force posture are decided by the North Atlantic Council (NAC) as the security situation on the ground evolves.

Ref: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_48818.htm

Search our content:

Find us on

Most visited

NATO's Role in Kosovo

Working in KFOR

Units

KFOR Chronicle

Address

KFOR HQ Pristina
Camp Film City
10000, Pristina
KOSOVO

Email

kfor.pao.mailbox@hq.kfor.nato.int

Media Operations

Public Affairs Office
Camp Film City
10000, Pristina
KOSOVO