President Milanović Visits Croatian Armed Forces Members in Kosovo Participating in KFOR Mission
The President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović ended his two-day official visit to the Republic of Kosovo in Villaggio Italia Camp in the city of Peja, where he met with the members of the Croatian Armed Forces who are participating in the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR).
During his stay at Villaggio Italia Camp, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces visited the Tactical-Technical Corps, after which he met with the members of the Croatian contingent and joined them for a meal.
The visit to Kosovo was an opportunity for President Milanović to meet again in person and speak with Croatian soldiers who are away from their families during the holidays.
President Milanović extended Christmas greetings to the Croatian male and female soldiers and told them: “I am glad to be here today, to see where you are based and to again make sure all of it makes sense and is useful for Croatia and for you.”
Speaking about the situation in Kosovo and the security of the Croatian soldiers stationed there, President Milanović told reporters that the soldiers were safe. “The situation is stable, but fragile. The outbreak of war is unlikely. Kosovo is standing in one place and it’s a paradox that this is actually a very stable and predictable area. Those who can be counted on are accepted into NATO. It’s not an adventure, it’s long-term,” he said.
Prior to touring Villaggio Italia Camp, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces also visited Film City Camp in the city of Priština, where he met with the members of the Croatian Armed Forces. At the KFOR Command, President Milanović held a meeting with Major General Ferenc Kajári, Commander of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR), who highlighted the contribution of Croatian soldiers to maintaining peace and security in Kosovo. Attending the meeting alongside President Milanović were the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj, Commander of the Croatian Army Lieutenant General Boris Šerić, Head of the Office of the President of the Republic Orsat Miljenić, Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defense and National Security Dragan Lozančić and Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the Republic of Kosovo Danijela Barišić.
After the meeting at the KFOR Command, President Milanović met with the Commander of the 36th Croatian Contingent Lieutenant Colonel Krešimir Tušek and Croatian soldiers. The 36th Croatian Contingent is stationed in the Republic of Kosovo and it numbers 141 members of the Croatian Armed Forces. President Milanović saw them off on the 22nd of November 2021 for a six-month rotation to Kosovo.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan