Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether there are any UK armed forces in Kosovo; and if so, whether they are within a NATO or EU armed presence.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The UK routinely contributes 41 personnel to NATO's KFOR mission, including an important contribution to KFOR’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability. Additionally, a defence advisor and a non-resident Defence Attaché support our bilateral relationship with Kosovo.
Following a request from Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and as outlined in the Gov.uk press release published on 1 October 2023, the UK will also deploy the Strategic Reserve Force held at readiness in the UK. Around 200 soldiers from 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment will join the 400-strong British contingent already in country as part of an annual exercise.
This follows on from the violent attack on Kosovo Police in northern Kosovo on 24 September and increasing tensions in the region.
Correspondence Sep. 06 2023
Committee: Foreign Affairs Committee (Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)Found: Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary relating to Serbia-Kosovo relations, dated 29/08/2023 Correspondence
Apr. 22 2024
Source Page: The UK is a long-standing supporter of Kosovo’s sovereignty and independence: UK statement at the UN Security CouncilFound: the UK welcomes the clear commitments to peace and dialogue that we heard today from both Serbia and Kosovo
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what his Department's advice is on direct air travel to (a) Kosovo, (b) Taiwan, (c) Northern Cyprus and (d) other non-UN member states.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The FCDO publishes travel advice which provides guidance on the most relevant issues for British nationals visiting Kosovo, Taiwan and Cyprus, including the north of Cyprus. There are direct flights between the UK and Kosovo, and the UK and Taiwan. Under the Chicago Convention, direct flights are not permitted between the UK and the north of Cyprus. To allow otherwise would be counter to the UK's international obligations. The situations in Kosovo, Taiwan and Cyprus are different and require different approaches.
Mentions:
1: Andrew Mitchell (CON - Sutton Coldfield) The latest spike in tensions in northern Kosovo is deeply concerning. - Speech Link
2: Alicia Kearns (CON - Rutland and Melton) I wish to set the context: Kosovo is not Serbia. - Speech Link
3: David Lammy (LAB - Tottenham) Why has no UK Foreign Secretary visited Kosovo since 2016? - Speech Link
4: Luke Pollard (LAB - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) I saw for myself the work of NATO’s Kosovo Force troops when I visited Kosovo on a cross-parliamentary - Speech Link
5: Andrew Mitchell (CON - Sutton Coldfield) Both Kosovo and Serbia have a role to play in de-escalation. - Speech Link
Oral Evidence Mar. 19 2024
Inquiry: Western BalkansFound: We were the force that went into Kosovo and protected the Kosovo Serbs at a time when the Albanians
Mar. 15 2010
Source Page: Geochemical assessment of soils in Roma Mahalla, Mitrovica, Kosovo: implications for the proposed resettlement of families presently living in the Osterode and Cesmin Lug Camps. 49 p.Found: Geochemical assessment of soils in Roma Mahalla, Mitrovica, Kosovo: implications for the proposed resettlement
Correspondence Jan. 25 2024
Committee: International Relations and Defence CommitteeFound: Continue to press the leaderships of Serbia and Kosovo to implement the commitments set out in the
Mentions:
1: Baroness Helic (CON - Life peer) ; and what steps they are taking to support stability, democracy and human rights in (1) Kosovo, and - Speech Link
2: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (CON - Life peer) Lords, we are working closely with international partners to de-escalate the situation in northern Kosovo - Speech Link
3: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (CON - Life peer) recently announced our continuing commitment to KFOR in Kosovo. - Speech Link
4: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (CON - Life peer) I believe that he has made four visits in the recent past to Kosovo. - Speech Link