Slovenia plans to increase number of soldiers in Kosovo

Slovenia plans to increase the number of soldiers stationed in the KFOR mission in Kosovo, Slovenian Defence Minister Marjan Sharec said today, who visited the troops and spoke with KFOR commander, Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia.

The situation in Kosovo would be very difficult without KFOR's presence, and the ministry has reviewed the possibilities of increasing Slovenia's participation in the mission, he said, the STA reported.

Sharec said it is difficult to talk about precise figures because five percent of active Slovenian troops are currently deployed abroad, including 91 in Kosovo.

The defence ministry announced that the Slovenian presence will be partially reinforced by civil experts and with the deployment of a military helicopter ready for Kosovo.

Slovenia's contribution to Kosovo is very valuable because Slovenian troops recognise both nations and are familiar with the situation, Sharec believes.

Sharec said it is no secret that Russia has interests in the Western Balkans and that it certainly exploits any vacuum created by the absence of Europe and NATO.

Presence in that territory is in Slovenia's strategic interest not only to preserve peace and stability, but also, as he said, “for these countries to eventually advance”.