Former Italian prime minister visits Kosovo

At the invitation of Foreign Affairs Minister Behgjet Pacolli, former Kosovo wartime Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema, will visit Kosovo tomorrow.

In view of this visit, D'Alema will have a meeting with Minister Pacolli, visit the Rugova family, be guests to the Pacolli family, and have meetings with the highest heads of state.

The prominent Italian politician and diplomat D'Alema is known as one of the most career-long citizens on the Italian political scene and has been the leader of one of the main parties of this friendly Kosovo country, its foreign minister and about 30 years of deputy in Parliament.

Today, he is an adviser to several powerful international governments. D'Alema is also known for listing his country, Italy, a NATO member, in favour of armed intervention in Kosovo's defence, making Italy's air bases available.

Italy is one of the countries with the largest military contingent in Kosovo since the entry of international forces into the country in 1999, and KFOR troops are regularly headed by Italian generals.

Italian troops enjoy great reputation in the local civilian population and Kosovo institutions.