Defence Ministry: 150 Soldiers and 80 Pieces of Equipment Could Go to Kosovo

Bratislava, December 12 (TASR) - A total of 150 professional soldiers and over 80 pieces of military equipment should go to Kosovo as part of the NATO peace-keeping mission (KFOR), according to a proposal for the deployment of members of the Slovak army submitted by the Defence Ministry for fast-track inter-departmental review. "The Slovak soldiers' mission in Kosovo should run from when their deployment is approved until the conclusion of the KFOR operation. Slovak soldiers will carry out tasks in the KFOR operational area, i.e. on the territory of Kosovo," reads the proposal. According to the proposal, Slovakia should send up to 15 officers within KFOR command structures and 20 officers within the national command and support element. Up to 110 soldiers could go to Kosovo to protect the base, carry out patrols or provide logistics. A maximum of five military police officers could also be sent. At the same time, the government plans to send a maximum of 60 wheeled vehicles, 20 tracked vehicles, two cars and 300 small arms to Kosovo. Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) informed the media about the return of Slovak soldiers to Kosovo during his recent visit to Serbia. Slovak soldiers served in the KFOR mission from 1999 to 2010. A total of 2,004 members of the Slovak army completed tours of duty. ko/df