North Macedonia will take part in the NATO Alliance mission in Kosovo, INA news agency reported on Wednesday.
“This decision, which was taken today in a government session, obliges the Ministry of Defense to take all necessary measures and to regulate all issues with the competent institutions of KFOR and NATO,” said the report.
A platoon and a personal staff – 45 people in total- will participate in this mission in the KFOR operation in Kosovo until the end of 2020.
The Ministry of Defense must inform the government on the measures which will be taken until December 12 this year.
NATO has been leading the peacekeeping operation in Kosovo since June 1999 in support of international efforts to build peace and stability in Kosovo.
NATO-KFOR was placed in Kosovo as part of the 78-day air campaign undertaken by the Alliance in March 1999 to stop the humanitarian catastrophe that was happening against the Kosovo people at that time.
The purpose of KFOR is to create and maintain a secure environment in Kosovo and, in addition to other tasks it has a direct responsibility to protect Kosovo from external threats.
North Macedonia became the 30th member of NATO as the accession protocol between NATO and that WB country was signed on February 6, 2019. A flag-raising ceremony for North Macedonia took place at NATO Headquarters on March 30.
Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci congratulated North Macedonia for its membership. “This is an important movement for the security and stability of the region. Kosovo will follow the example and continue working for NATO membership to give its contribution in global security,” said Thaci in his congratulation to its neighboring country. / argumentum.al
