Erjavec Expects No Problems in Deployment of Battalion in Kosovo
Slovenian Defence Minister Karl Erjavec expects no difficulties early next year when Slovenia is to send a 530-strong battalion to Kosovo. Preparations for deployment are on track so no technical problems are expected, Erjavec said after visiting Slovenian troops in the province on Friday.
Erjavec was in Pristina for talks with the Deputy Commander of the NATO-led KFOR peace keeping force, Major-General Robert Bernardini. He said Bernardini commended Slovenia's contribution to KFOR, especially the efforts of the transport unit.
Bernadrini said the situation in Kosovo was stable on the outside, but actually very fragile. This means that a political decision on the future status of the province needs to be taken as soon as possible or else the situation might deteriorate, Erjavec said.
The minister noted that the 10th Motorised Batalion, which will be deployed in March, would come to the province soon after the special UN envoy for Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, issues his final recommendation of the status of the province.
The Slovenian troops are very motivated, Erjavec said. "The soldiers explained that they are very well received among the locals, which is very important and gives them a certain advantage over other countries taking part in KFOR."
Erjavec was also expected to meet infantry and transport units stationed in Pec and the Commander of Multi-National Task Force West, Brigadier-General Attilio Claudio Borreca, but bad weather prevented him from going there.
The minister was accompanied by a delegation of the parliamentary defence committee as well as Bishop of Novo mesto Andrej Glavan and the head of the Slovenian Lutheran Evangelical Church, Bishop Geza Ernisa.
There are currently 214 Slovenian soldiers in Kosovo. When the 10th Motorised Battalion is deployed in March, the number of Slovenian troops in the province will increase to over 700. It will also be the first time in a NATO mission that Slovenia will have its own area of control.
It will also be a period when as much as 11% of the entire Slovenian army is engaged in international missions, one of the highest shares among NATO members.
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