ITALIAN JOINT OPERATIONS HEADQUARTERS COMMANDER VISITS KFOR

Pristina, 6 February 2014.

Today the Italian Joint Operations Headquarters Commander, Lieutenant General Marco BERTOLINI visited HQ KFOR in Pristina and met with the KFOR Commander Major General Salvatore FARINA.

The Italian Generals discussed the latest development in the current security and political situation in Kosovo as well as the wider Balkans region, with particular attention devoted to the upcoming elections in MITROVICA north, on 23 February 2014.

Major General Salvatore FARINA underlined the positive and close cooperation with KP, EULEX, and with all the other international and local organizations, in order to maintain a Safe and Secure Environment and Freedom of Movement throughout Kosovo.

COM KFOR underlined the importance of the support of the Italian Army personnel throughout KFOR and thanked Lieutenant General BERTOLINI for the contribution and the professionalism of Italian Army troops.

Italy is one of the major troop contributors to KFOR with around 550 soldiers serving in Kosovo, the lead nation in KFOR HQ and of the Joint Regional Detachment Centre (JRD-C), based in Pristina, and of Multinational Battle Group West in Belo POLJE.

During the visit, Lieutenant General BERTOLINI met the Italian Ambassador in Kosovo HE Andrea FERRARESE and expressed his appreciation for the significant contribution made to security and stability by the Italian contingent.

General BERTOLINI also visited Camp CABRA, overflying ZVECAN, Gate 1, Camp Nothing Hill and he visited Forward Operation Post 31, where he attended a briefing by Multinational Battle Group East Commander.

Before completing his visit to KFOR the Joint Operations Headquarters Commander met Italian troops, in "VILLAGGIO Italia” Camp to thank them and he emphasized the importance of their contribution in the delicate and tense context of the Balkans.