PRISTINA - The Commander of the NATO-led KFOR mission, Major General Franco Federici, received Admiral Robert P. Burke, Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command/Naples in his first official visit to KFOR.
Admiral Robert P. Burke was welcomed to KFOR Headquarters, Camp "Film City”, by Major General Franco Federici. After an update on the current security situation in Kosovo, he met with KFOR troops, with whom he exchanged views on his command’s continued support to the mission.
“Stability and security of the Western Balkans is important for NATO and for peace and stability in Europe.
“Stability and security of the Western Balkans is important for NATO and for peace and stability in Europe. That is why I came here to get a better sense of the region. It’s important that we always look to how to continue to strengthen our partnership, our well-established cooperation through NATO’s ongoing support to military reforms and capability building and with joint efforts to ensure a peaceful and safe environment for all, which is a prerequisite for prosperity. Working together is something that improves us all, makes us better, stronger and more prepared to face the ever-changing and increasingly complex security challenges of today. We face the same security challenges in our shared Euro-Atlantic region, and dialogue and cooperation are important to address them effectively.” Admiral Burke said. “This is my first visit to Pristina; and I expect it to be the first of many”, he pointed out.
Admiral Burke restressed the importance of KFOR’s stabilising presence for security in Kosovo and for regional stability. He expressed his appreciation to General Federici appreciation for his distinguished services at the helm of KFOR. For the past twenty-one years KFOR has been helping transform Kosovo into a safer place. Today, it continues to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo, in accordance with its mandate under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999. The Kosovo Force consists of around 3,500 troops contributed by 27 countries, including 19 NATO members and 8 partner countries.
Admiral Burke also expressed his personal and NATO gratitude to KFOR for supporting local communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including through donations and the provision of logistical support for aid delivery from NATO Allies and partners.
Accompanied by the KFOR Commander, Admiral Burke took part in a reconnaissance flight by helicopter over the KFOR Area of Responsibility and received updates by the two KFOR Regional Commanders on the activities carried out by their units on the ground.
The Allied Joint Force Command Naples oversees four NATO-led engagements across the Western Balkans: The Kosovo Force, NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, the NATO Liaison Office in Skopje, and the NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade.