Luxembourg to withdraw military presence in Kosovo

(ADW) Luxembourg's military participation as part of the NATO mission in Kosovo, should come to an end in 2017, Defence Minister Etienne Schneider stated in a meeting on Monday.

The Luxembourg Kosovo Force, known as KFOR, has been working together with NATO since 2000, just one year after NATO began its mission in the region, and currently has 23 military staff on secondment in the Balkan territory.

Schneider stated during the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and defence, that "since the start of the mission, our contribution and military presence has been repeatedly recognised by local authorities.”

The Defence Minister continued: “the situation in Kosovo has improved significantly in the past few years". But he also pointed out that, “there are still some challenges to be overcome.”

“The withdrawal of KFOR will allow the replacement of our military resources in other peacekeeping operations within the EU and NATO,” concluded Schneider.