Switzerland aims to boost number of soldiers in KFOR

According to a parliamentary service announcement, the commission estimates that KFOR's “admission and Swiss contingent Swisscoy in Kosovo remains necessary, as the situation on the ground, particularly in the northern part of the country, continues to be fragile”.

The CPS-S, which is the Swiss Parliament's High Chamber, stresses that KFOR's presence is the “also needed to contribute to ensuring stability in the Western Balkans”.

“The stability of Kosovo and the Western Balkans is also in the interest of Switzerland, where some 500 thousand people originally from Southeast Europe, out of whom over 150 thousand are of Kosovo origin”, it was said in announcing Switzerland's parliamentary services, the CDT reported.

In this context it was said that “CP S-S also supports increasing the number of Swiss soldiers in Kosovo from 195 to 215”.

Also, according to the announcement, it is proposed that the Federal Council have the competence that, during its mandate, increase the container by up to 30 additional soldiers, without specific deadlines, to respond to the possible future needs of KFOR.

There is also the possibility of the provisional commitment of up to 50 additional maintenance soldiers, such as Swiss helicopters, as well as up to 20 additional soldiers to safety of the container itself.