BRATISLAVA, September 27, (WEBNOVINY) — Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova on Monday visited Slovak peacekeepers taking part in the KFOR mission in Kosovo. Slovak troops in the NATO mission are to leave the country by the end of November. However, they will be at disposal for training Kosovo armed forces. Radicova ruled out any links between the withdrawal of Slovak troops from Kosovo and Slovakia’s refusal to recognize unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. The departure of Slovak soldiers ensues from an agreement, which the Slovak Republic had signed before Kosovo declared its independence. The prime minister said she hopes that the country will not face unrest. However, in case of need Slovakia is prepared to send troops to Kosovo. Now, Slovakia is going to meet its international commitments in Afghanistan.
Radicova and Defense Minister Lubomir Galko decorated Slovak peacekeepers in Kosovo with medals on the occasion of the termination of their Kosovo mission. On this occasion, Radicova said that the Western Balkans region belongs among the key interests and priorities of Slovakia’s foreign and security policy. She also honored the memory of those who died during fulfilling tasks and sacrificed their lives. „We cannot forget about their heroism and bravery,“ she underscored.
Slovakia might change its attitude to independence of Kosovo in the future, indicated Radicova in Kosovo. She said that the stance on Kosovo is not eternal while the potential change of the Slovak stance will depend on conclusions of talks between Serbia and Kosovo. Slovakia belongs among those countries, which have not recognized Kosovo, which split from Serbia and unilaterally declared independence in February 2008.
SITA