NATO to Gradually Adjust Peace Support Mission Strength in Kosovo Next Year
NATO Announces Adjustments to Kosovo Peace Mission
BRUSSELS, June 12 (Reuters) - NATO will gradually adjust the strength of its peace support mission in Kosovo, which has been in place since 1999, over the next year due to the steady security situation in the country, it said on Friday.
Commitment to Security in Kosovo
"NATO and KFOR are fully committed to safety and security in Kosovo," said U.S. Air Force General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) in a statement.
Increased Stability and Capabilities
"It is this commitment that has led to increased stability as the security organisations in Kosovo have become more capable. The current conditions provide an opportunity to optimise KFOR's size and posture further," he added.
Details of the Gradual Adjustments
Calibrated Reductions and Deployment Cycles
Calibrated reductions are expected to follow national rotational deployment and redeployment cycles between now and next year, NATO said.
Conditions-Based Approach
The changes will occur gradually and in line with conditions on the ground, and could be reversed if needed, NATO said.
(Reporting by Lili Bayer and Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Makini Brice)
