From . – 01/12/2023 03:23 pm (act. 01/12/2023 03:24 pm)
Nehammer is ready for more soldiers in Kosovo. ©APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH
Chancellor Nehammer declared on Thursday that he would send more troops to Kosovo if KFOR’s protection force was expanded.
On Thursday, Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Kosovo’s head of government, Albin Kurti, met in Vienna for an official visit.
Kosovo Prime Minister for Increase in KFOR Soldiers
At a joint press conference with the Federal Chancellor, Kurti confirmed his desire to increase the presence of KFOR troops. The reason he gave was the tense security situation in the north of the country and the presence of pro-Russian forces in the region, such as the Russian mercenary group Wagner and the Russian nationalist motorcycle club Night Wolves.
Kurti called the EU’s latest proposal to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo “a good basis for discussions”. According to its constitution, however, Kosovo must remain a multi-ethnic society, he stressed.
Nehammer offered to talk to Serbia
Nehammer said Austria would be available if needed, including for talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Austria sees itself “as a bridge to the European Union”, not only for Kosovo, but for all the countries of the Western Balkans. Serbia and Kosovo must find a path to a peaceful and prosperous future and make free decisions accordingly. You can help where you can’t find a middle ground, Nehammer said. “Austria is a good partner because of our history”, in which “a lot of mistakes were made”, said the chancellor.
Nehammer also pledged support for Kurti on the way to the European Union and also with Kosovo’s application for membership of the Council of Europe. Kosovo “took the time” and “achieved an incredible achievement”, for example in the fight against organized crime and corruption and through its commitment to the rule of law. This path will be rewarded by the EU visa waiver in 2024.
In addition to the security aspect, Kosovo is also economically interesting for Austria, according to Nehammer. Austria contributes to the expansion of renewable energy in Kosovo.
Kosovo head of government thanks Nehammer for support
Kurti thanked the Federal Chancellor for Austria’s support, also within the framework of KFOR. Kosovo will continue to work on reforms towards EU membership, “not the fast lane, not the back door”. Relations with Austria are excellent. He also invited the chancellor to visit Kosovo with a business delegation.
Kurti was received with full military honors by Nehammer on Thursday. In the evening, Kurti participates in an Austrian Institute for European Security and Policy (AIES) discussion on the Western Balkans at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna.
Kosovo officially submitted its application for EU membership in December. The main obstacle is that five EU member states – Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Greece and Cyprus – do not recognize Kosovo. Even Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s independence to this day. In 2008, with Western support, Kosovo declared its independence from Belgrade. The NATO-led KFOR protection force currently has around 3,800 members, including more than 400 soldiers from the Austrian army.