What can be learned in former German KFOR camp when it becomes an innovation park

This transformation is expected to take place early next year, when all German KFOR soldiers from Prizren will leave and deploy to Pristina.

In this camp, which has over 40 hectares, Kosovo's young and young people will be able to take in knowledge and train for information technology, agriculture, food and agro-process, creative industry, tourism, education, science and various research.

Lis Dorambar from the Prizren municipality's Media Office tells Radio Free Europe that together with the German Agency for International Co-operation (GIZ) are drafting the park's regulatory plan.

“The Group of Innovation and Training, where the main goal will be economic development, access to education and professional skills. There will be different businesses. It is now becoming a study of feasibility by the German GIZ and has also become an informational meeting between the Prizren and GIZ, for drafting a regulatory plan”, Dorambar says.

The camp owns 23 buildings with 550 rooms with the capacity for residence for about 1,200 people.

According to analyst Emrush Ujani, Kosovo citizens now need more economic than military support. He tells Radio Free Europe that Germany continues to be the most strategic partner of post-war Kosovo.

The removal of German soldiers can be explained in two ways; the first, this proves that Kosovo is becoming a civil society, where military or military power or presence is not necessary and Kosovo needs economic presence; therefore, the power of different countries today should be measured not only by military but also economic terms. And in this direction I see the contribution or continuation of Germany's reports with Kosovo”, Wolfan says.

Until 1999, German soldiers entered Prizren, with heavy tanks and weapons, they now left with musical bands. The Fountain was the last meeting of German KFOR soldiers with the Prime Ministers.

After 19 years of service in this city, with military ceremonies and with great applause German soldiers have bid their way through.

Prizren citizens were very excited with this parade, until they remembered the day the German KFOR troops entered Prizren after Kosovo's liberation. Susan Skeya, from Prizren, says very painful their departure, but at the same time, joy.

I'm having the thrill of seeing these guys the first day I saw them come. Here in the fountain I was with children”, says Susan Skeya.

For Naim Spahiun, the memory is still fresh when he first saw German soldiers at the Stone Bridge. He says he will never forget the contribution of these soldiers but also German people.

I remember perfectly. It was 1999, that's where I shot at Stone Bridge, met a relative wife of my own blood, the neighbor. NATO forces entered, has been a great joy. Unprecedented joy ever in people's history. I'll never forget for life”, Spahiu says.

The Bundeswer will still be engaged under KFOR, as some German soldiers will be stationed in Pristina.

Germany will remain unchanged on the list of 10 countries with the largest presence of soldiers within KFOR, while in its spotlight it will be the previous advance of the Kosovo Security Force (FSK).