The North Atlantic Council yesterday declared that the Kosovo Security Force has reached full operational capability and is now able to perform the tasks assigned to it within its mandate and to the standards designated by NATO.
“The Kosovo Security Force mission remains the same as it always has been: to conduct civil protection operations and to assist the civil authorities in responding to natural disasters and other emergencies,” said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in a statement. “The Alliance will continue to provide support and advice through a NATO Liaison and Advisory Team.”
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| Lt. Gen. Kadri Kastrati KSF Commander Photo: KSF |
The Kosovo KFOR mission also remains unchanged, he said: “To provide a safe and secure environment for all people and communities in Kosovo. We will continue to fulfill that mission according to our United Nations mandate.”
The future of the Western Balkans lies in dialogue and reconciliation, Rasmussen said. He continues to encourage those in Kosovo to consider joining the security force to make sure it continues to become a “truly multi-ethnic and representative force.”
NATO is responsible for supervising and supporting the stand-up and training of a multi-ethnic, professional and civilian controlled KSF that is professional and an all-volunteer force.
The first recruitment campaign Kosovo-wide began in January 2009, focusing on encouraging all minority communities in Kosovo to apply.
The KSF is a lightly armed force, with no heavy weapons such as tanks, heavy artillery or offensive air capability. It shall have primary responsibility for security tasks that are not appropriate for the police such as emergency response, explosive ordnance disposal, management of hazardous material, fire-fighting and civil protection.
The force is being trained according to NATO standards and is placed under civilian-led, democratic control.
The recruitment process is reaching out across society and being carried out in two official languages: Albanian and Serbian. The total strength of the KSF is not going to exceed 2,500 active personnel and some 800 reservists. Training and courses began in 2009. The initial operational capability was reached in mid-September 2009, with some 1,500 personnel.