Swiss military mission in Kosovo extends mandate for three years

The Federal Council (government) and the Swiss Parliament's National Chamber want to extend the Swiss military mission for three years and increase the maximum number. According to them, the security situation in Kosovo is still tense.

Serbia still does not recognise Kosovo as an independent state. As the Federal Council claims, the security situation in Kosovo and the Western Balkans has deteriorated.

Therefore, he wants to extend the Swiss Army's Swiss Swiss mission to Kosovo by the end of 2023 and return the maximum number, 195 soldiers.

As before, in the event of an increasing threat, the contingent may grow to 20 people serving at a peak of four months.

On Thursday, the National Chamber has approved with convincing numbers of votes the respective proposal. There were 108 votes for, 48 against and 30 abstentions, albinfo.ch conveys. This room, with this action, has followed its commission's recommendations for foreign policy and security, writes Sfr.ch.

Most believe that the political and security situation in Kosovo still requires Kfor's presence, and therefore the exploitation of Swiss is still reasonable and necessary. This, to the fact that Kosovo is not yet capable of ensuring its own safety, sends albinfo.ch. In light of continued tensions on the ground, supporters also consider it reasonable to give the Federal Council the competence to raise the quota.

Against: Just SVP and Green

The Green and SVP are among the opponents of the mission's continuation. Kosovo needs support to build democratic structures, rather than weapons”, National Green Party MP Marion Schlatter has said. “This long-lasting mission makes Kosovo dependent on the Swiss Army”.

While SVP argues its opposition, saying Switzerland is a neutral country. Our army has no work abroad”, Eric Hess, SVP deputy in Parliament, said.