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- October 14, 202617°
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- USD49.37+0.07%
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- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,529-1.88%
- October 14, 202617°
Türkiye hands KFOR command to Italy after its second leadership term
Türkiye handed over command of NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) to Italy at a ceremony held Wednesday in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. More than 4,500 troops from 31 countries serve in KFOR, while the Turkish Armed Forces have contributed to the mission since 1999.
Türkiye handed over command of NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) to Italy. At a ceremony held at KFOR’s main headquarters in Pristina, Turkish Major General Özkan Ulutaş handed over command to Italian Major General Roberto Vergori.
Kosovo President Justina Shiroka Pula, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Chief of the Turkish General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu and Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, along with numerous guests, attended the ceremony. The event began with the national anthems of Türkiye and Italy.
Kosovo’s NATO goal
Kosovo President Justina Shiroka Pula thanked Özkan Ulutaş for his contributions during his term as commander. Pula said her country aimed to make progress in its process of joining NATO.
Stating that Kosovo’s strategic goal was to join NATO, Pula said her country aimed to become a state that not only benefited from security in the future but also contributed directly to security.
The Kosovo president noted that KFOR’s presence, its operations and its cooperation with local institutions contributed to strengthening overall security in the country and reinforcing citizens’ confidence.
Emphasis on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue
Özkan Ulutaş said he was proud to have commanded one of NATO’s oldest and still most extensive missions. He said he shared the hope of the people of Kosovo for a future in which peace and prosperity prevail despite their differences.
Ulutaş said KFOR contributed to providing a secure environment for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue facilitated by the European Union. He said the dialogue provided a framework for addressing ongoing issues and reaching lasting solutions that respect the rights of all communities in Kosovo.
Türkiye’s role in KFOR
Türkiye first assumed command of KFOR during the 2023–2024 period. Özkan Ulutaş’s second term as commander began on October 3, 2025.
KFOR began its mission in Kosovo on June 12, 1999, to ensure security and stability in line with a United Nations Security Council resolution. More than 4,500 international troops from 31 NATO and non-NATO countries serve in the mission.
The Turkish Armed Forces have contributed to KFOR’s mission in Kosovo since 1999.
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