Barduani to NATO Military Committee: 'KFOR determined despite Kosovo's fragilities'

Brussels, 18 April 2025 - At NATO Headquarters, Major General Enrico Barduani, former Commander of the Savoy Cavalry Regiment, presented his mid-term report as Commander of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) before the Atlantic Alliance Military Committee, the organisation's highest military authority, responsible for implementing the strategic and political decisions taken by the North Atlantic Council.

The General's report offered a detailed analysis of the current situation in Kosovo, clearly illustrating the progress made by the KFOR mission over the last few months, but also the risks and critical issues still present in the theatre of operations. According to Barduani, the NATO presence remains an essential element for the stability of the area, in a context that continues to be marked by inter-ethnic tensions, institutional fragility and regional political instability.

"Our mission remains to ensure a safe and secure environment for all citizens of Kosovo, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, gender or political opinion," said Barduani. "KFOR's operational posture must remain proactive, to prevent future crises and respond promptly to every possible scenario. Only through a visible, credible and determined presence can we continue to be a guarantor of security."

KFOR, the General reiterated, acts in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which gives NATO the mandate to contribute to the stabilisation of the area after the 1999 conflict. But the picture remains complex: the stalemate in negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, the absence of a common vision among the international actors present in Kosovo and the growing social tensions in the Balkans represent significant obstacles.

Admiral Cavo Dragone praises Barduani's leadership: 'Point of reference for Balkan stability'

At the end of the presentation, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, expressed strong words of appreciation for the work done by General Barduani and the professional conduct of the KFOR mission forces. "General Barduani's actions have been instrumental in consolidating the progress achieved so far and strengthening NATO's role as a guarantor actor for peace and security in the region," said the Admiral.

Barduani's commitment was acknowledged as a key element in maintaining a delicate balance in a region still rife with latent tensions. In particular, the Military Committee stressed the Italian commander's ability to maintain a constructive dialogue with all local and international components present in the Kosovo theatre, fostering a multilateral approach to security management.

General Barduani also wished to recall the role of the Italian forces deployed in Kosovo, which represent a significant component of the KFOR mission. "The professionalism, flexibility and spirit of service of our military are a heritage recognised by the entire international community," he said.

The Italian contribution is part of a broader framework of shared responsibility within the Atlantic Alliance, which sees in the KFOR operation one of its longest-running and most strategic engagements on the European continent. Despite the absence of open conflict, security in Kosovo is constantly threatened by political and social tensions that require vigilance, mediation skills and operational readiness.

Tajani: 'The Western Balkans must become Europe again, not enlargement but reunification'

In the context of the debate on Balkan stability, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also wished to emphasise the importance of the Italian presence in the region. "We are working so that the Balkans can finally regain their natural place within the European family," said Tajani in an interview on the sidelines of the NATO summit. "I prefer to talk about reunification rather than enlargement: the Balkans have always been part of Europe, it was recent history that kept them out."

The minister then expressed some concern over the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, another sensitive point in the Balkan peninsula, but reassured about the Italian government's commitment to guarantee a continuous and incisive presence, both politically and militarily. "We are not in the Balkans just to wave the flag," he said, "but to be a concrete outpost of Europe. Our missions, like KFOR, testify to our active and responsible role."

Tajani also drew attention to the economic potential of the Balkan countries in terms of cooperation and development. In particular, he emphasised how the recent Action Plan for strengthening Italian exports looks at this region with interest. "We want to reach Euro 700 billion in exports by the end of the legislature. The countries of the Western Balkans, such as Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia Herzegovina, Albania and North Macedonia, represent real opportunities for growth for Italian companies," he said.

According to Tajani, the full economic and political integration of the Balkans into the European Union is not just a promise to be kept, but a strategic necessity for the whole of Europe. "The stability of the Balkans is the stability of Europe. And it is also the future of our foreign policy."

Source: https://www.difesa.it/smd/news-italia/comandante-della-kfor-al-comitato-militare-nato/69190.html