Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK has offered additional support to the NATO KOFOR mission in Kosovo in the past six months to help ensure peace is maintained in the country.

The UK has an enduring commitment to supporting security and stability in Kosovo and the wider Western Balkans region. This is demonstrated by our continued commitment to the NATO missions in the region. There are 41 UK personnel currently deployed to NATO's KFOR mission. This includes 2 staff officers in the KFOR HQ and an Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) Task Force which provides a highly valued capability. We also provide a Battalion sized Strategic Reserve Force (SRF) which is held at 14 days' notice to move in the UK. This autumn c345 soldiers from 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers will be deploying into Kosovo to participate in KFOR's Op REHEARSAL exercise. They will be testing the SRF processes and working alongside other NATO forces in the region. It is another demonstration of UK commitment to KFOR and provides an enhanced UK footprint over the autumn period.