Pristina - The Commander of KFOR, Major General Michele Risi, signed today a framework agreement concerning the management of the lower airspace over Kosovo. The signature followed that of Arnór Sigurjónsson,Director General at the Icelandic Ministry for foreign Affairs. 

In accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Military Technical Agreement of 1999, the Commander of KFOR retains the authority over security in the lower airspace over Kosovo, which has been closed to civil air traffic except for flights to and from Pristina airport.

Iceland will contribute to the KFOR mission through the provision of assistance in the efforts to normalize the lower airspace over Kosovo.

The finalization of this agreement is an important step in the process to establish all of the necessary conditions for the opening of new routes in the lower airspace of Kosovo, in a safely and orderly manner. It will also contribute to the ongoing efforts to promote the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, within the framework of the EU sponsored dialogue.

The development of new air routes is pursued within the framework of the NATO’s Balkan Aviation Normalization Meetings (BANM), under the lead of NATO, and with the participation of all relevant stakeholders. The normalization of the lower airspace of Kosovo will shorten routes and generate environmental benefits and costs savings for airlines and military aviation.