Kosovo hosting a US Army led exercise in its territory for the first time ever, says PM Kurti

English

Gazeta Express

25/05/2021 10:55

Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has announced participation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) in a military exercise along the US Army, Gazeta Express reports.

Kurti wrote on Twitter that this is the first time ever Kosovo is hosting such a large-scale military exercise.

“For the first time ever, Kosova is hosting a US Army led exercise in its territory. Our troops are showing dedication and professionalism in various exercises as part of Defender 21 in Kosova, Croatia and Albania,” Kurti said.

Kosovo Minister of Defense, Armend Mehaj, said on Tuesday that the training operation along the US Army troops as part of “DEFENDER Europe 21” are ongoing. “The training operations along US troops are successfully continuing, as part of the ‘DEFENDER Europe 21’ exercise. Kosovo and its forces are strongly proving their close and enteral partnership with the US and its forces as well as full readiness to contribute to peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond. Our path is towards NATO,” Mehaj wrote on Facebook.  

The biggest US-led military exercise in years, Defender Europe 21, involving tens of thousands of troops, kicked off last month from the port of Durres in Albania. In addition to Albania and Kosovo, the exercises will be conducted in various other countries in the Western Balkan region: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, North Macedonia, and Romania. /GazetaExpress/