KFOR (BETAPHOTO/SASA DJORDJEVIC)
In Pristina on Oct. 10, Turkish Major General Ozkan Ulutas took over the role of Commander of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, from Italian Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia.
The ceremony held at the KFOR Main Command building was attended by Kosovo defense and interior ministers, Ejup Maqedonci and Xhelal Svecla respectively, and Pristina Mayor Perparim Rama. Unlike previous ceremonies, absent were the president and premier, Vjosa Osmani and Albin Kurti, who are currently not in Kosovo.
The commander of NATO Joint Force Command Naples, Admiral Stuart Munsch, who led the handover ceremony, said that KFOR would continue to perform its mandate within UN Security council Resolution 1244 from 1999.
The former KFOR commander, Ristuccia said that peace and stability in the region remained the mission’s key task, while Admiral Munsch said that KFOR had intensified coordination with the local police in ensuring security in Kosovo.
This is the first time Turkey has taken command of KFOR. Ankara has the second largest contingent of soldiers of 27 countries participating in KFOR mission.
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