TODAY.AZ / Politics

Turkey to take over command in Kosovo force

26 May 2007 [14:37] - TODAY.AZ
Turkey will assume the command of Multinational Task Force South (MNTF-S), one of the five regional commands of the Kosovo Force (KFOR), a NATO-led international force responsible for establishing and maintaining security in Kosovo, for a period of one year as of Tuesday.

Together with Turkey, troops from Germany, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia and Switzerland are currently deployed in the area of responsibility of MNTF-S, the headquarters of which is located in the Prizren region, where the Turkish minority is concentrated, the Foreign Ministry highlighted in a written statement released on Friday and announcing the takeover.

"Turkey, which has been contributing to KFOR since NATO assumed responsibility in Kosovo in 1999 in order to end the conflict, is taking on this mission in a period that is significant for the future of Kosovo. This once again emphasizes the importance that Turkey attaches to the preservation of peace and stability in the Balkans, as well as our resolution to contribute toward this end. It also confirms that we will continue to meet our commitments regarding international security within the context of Turkey's candidacy for the UN Security Council for the period of 2009-2010," the statement said.

During the period of this mission, which will be commanded by Brig. Gen. Ugur Tarcin, the Turkish Task Force, which presently includes Azerbaijani and Georgian teams, will be reinforced by approximately 300 soldiers; Turkey will hand over the command of the Task Force to Austria in May 2008. Today's Zaman

URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/41397.html

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