Vienna stands able to ship further troopers to help the NATO-led peace forces in Kosovo (KFOR) to strengthen the mission, ought to it turn out to be needed.
Throughout a press convention, Chancellor Karl Nehammer informed journalists that Austria stood able to ship further troopers following months of escalating tensions between Kosovo and Serbia.
“Austria and Kosovo are carefully related on many ranges,” defined Nehammer after assembly with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Vienna. “Above all, we additionally work carefully collectively on the degree of safety coverage,” he added.
Austria, geographically and traditionally near the Balkan states, is the most important non-NATO member of the some 3,400 men-strong KFOR contingent. Some 300 Austrian troopers are stationed in Kosovo’s capital Pristina, in addition to Peja and Novo Selo on the west.
Kurti emphasised the necessity to reinforce the peace mission, citing the worsening safety setting within the north of Kosovo and the presence of pro-Russian forces.
Nehammer went on to supply Austria as a mediator within the talks with Serbia, citing their significance for Kosovo’s EU accession bid. “For Austria, the clear EU accession perspective and stability within the Western Balkans are of the utmost curiosity. This additionally requires a continuation of the dialogue with Serbia,” Nehammer confused.
Moreover, Nehammer affirmed that Vienna would help Kosovo in becoming a member of the Council of Europe – which Hungary has confused it seeks to dam.
(Nikolaus J. Kurmayer | EURACTIV.de)
