More than 300 Afghans continue to take refuge in Kosovo, could last another year

Kosovo and the United States last August 25th signed an agreement on a one-year interim shelter of Afghans that were evacuated after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan.

But because some Afghans have not yet passed verification procedures, to be transferred to the US and other states, Kosovo and the US have agreed to continue their stay in the country.

From the Ministry of Internal Affairs said there are 351 Afghan nationals who can stay in Kosovo by 2023.

“According to existing asylum legislation, against these people it is envisioned that in the case of continuing to the site of the protected person's descent, it can be extended for a maximum period of two years”, the MPB's written answer is said.

Pristina and Washington, in June of this year, reached an annex-agreement to continue allowing the stay of Afghan citizens in Kosovo, currently located at the American Army's Bundshell Camp.

So far, 1,163 Afghan nationals have left Kosovo for other countries.

MPB said moving these people into co-ordination with the third states they accept.

In addition to Bundsteel, Afghans had also taken refuge in the Bechtel-Enka camp, which is located in Ferizaj, the municipality about 40 kilometers from Pristina and less than three kilometers from the American military camp.

The Bechtel-Enka camp has already closed, confirmed for the REL by NATO.

All Afghans associated with NATO living in Kosovo have been restored to NATO states or partner states, Finland and Sweden. The camp at Bechtel was closed in late March”, a NATO official told Radio Free Europe.

The sheltered Afghans in Kosovo are mostly persons who have worked in different qualities for the American Army, or other NATO allies, who have operated in Afghanistan in the past 20 years.

On 16 August 2021, Kosovo approved the United States' request to accommodate a number of Afghans who had worked with foreign forces after the Taliban took Kabul in mid-August.

The first group of Afghan citizens arrived in Kosovo on August 29, 2021. They were transported from Germany on an American Air Force plane.