Kfor reduced to 5500 men in early 2011

(BRUSSELS2) The NATO peacekeeping force deployed in Kosovo is accelerating the reduction in size. This is the continuation of a process of phasing out decided last year. A first step was taken in January 2010 with a reduction from 15.000 to 10.000 men. The second should be crossed soon, by February 2011, to increase to 5.500 men. The number of battlegroups present has been reduced, going from 5 to 4; the "center" battlegroup thus merged with the "east" battlegroup. The third step will be to increase to 2.000 men by 2012.

Several European governments have thus announced the reduction of their contingents, or even their virtual withdrawal. The Czechs who were still 500 at the beginning of the year are only 270 on the spot and 90 by the end of October. The Finns began their withdrawal at the end of September of their 200 soldiers, leaving only a residual strength of 20 people behind. The 140 Slovaks begin to withdraw and there will be no more soldiers by the end of November. The Danes also drop from 180 to 35. Etc... As for the Greek contingent of 800 men, it will also gradually decrease from November.

Spain in March 2009 (1), the United Kingdom (more discreetly), from March to September 2009, as well as Belgium, in February-March 2010, have already withdrawn their troops.

(1) Read: Spain withdraws KFOR troops from Kosovo

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)