Kosovo

On 10 June 1999, a Military Technical Agreement (MTA) for the withdrawal of all Serb forces from Kosovo was signed between General Jackson, Commander of the International Security Force (KFOR) and representatives of the VJ General Staff and Republic of Serbia Ministry of Internal Affairs.

On 11 June, the NATO Secretary General announced the suspension of the air campaign after confirmation from SACEUR that Serb forces had started their full withdrawal. That evening the United Nations Security Council passed resolution 1244 (1999). UNSCR 1244 authorises member states and relevant international organisations to establish an international security presence in Kosovo, under unified command and control and with substantial NATO participation.

Also on 11 June, Russian troops enter Pristina in advance of KFOR troops.

On 12 June, the first elements of KFOR, under General Jackson (COMKFOR), started deploying into Kosovo. KFOR will work in close co-ordination with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

KFOR's primary role, once Serb forces have complied with the MTA and withdrawn from Kosovo, is to provide a secure environment for the re-building of Kosovo. However, until the appropriate civil authorities or international agencies can take over, immediate support will be necessary for assistance with emergency humanitarian support, public security, initial civil administration and essential infrastructure repairs.

18 countries, including 13 Partners, have expressed interest in participating in KFOR (Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden Switzerland, the UAE and Ukraine). NATO is also discussing with Russia her participation.

At the same time NATO's forces have continued their support for humanitarian efforts in Albania. Similarly rear elements of KFOR remain in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (¹) to provide both humanitarian assistance to aid agencies and support for NATO forces in Kosovo.