Since 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has had substantial military presence in Kosovo. In fact, at one point, over fifty thousand NATO troops from the Kosovo Force, or KFOR, were stationed in the war-torn nation.
Canada, being a significant NATO member, had nearly fifteen hundred soldiers in Kosovo in 2008. While this number has been significantly reduced, the fact that there are still Canadian soldiers in Kosovo is likely shocking to many Canadians.
Now, many are criticizing NATO for not removing their troops sooner and are requesting that the organization removes its soldiers as soon as possible. As such, beginning yesterday, members of NATO have been discussing a possible exit strategy in the region. While the committee seemed mainly in agreement that troops had to be removed, there was some disagreement regarding the specifics of the exit strategy.
The United Kingdom, for example, expressed support for a 2020 removal of NATO troops. Other nations have focused on leaving Kosovo as a stable, peaceful nation that will be an active member of the international community.
Canada also had a voice in the committee, stating, “We want to transform Kosovo into a democratic country.”
Eventually, the nations began working together in order to draft various papers to finally remove NATO forces. These papers also put forward suggestions such as making Kosovo a UN recognized nation, improving education and infrastructure in the nation, and allowing it to join the European Union and NATO itself.
The Canadian representative was opposed to the latter suggestion, stating that Kosovo should first join “less controversial committees” before earning its place in NATO.
As of this afternoon, there are currently two resolution papers on the floor. The international community waits for NATO’s ultimate solution to this urgent issue.
Canada, being a significant NATO member, had nearly fifteen hundred soldiers in Kosovo in 2008. While this number has been significantly reduced, the fact that there are still Canadian soldiers in Kosovo is likely shocking to many Canadians.
Now, many are criticizing NATO for not removing their troops sooner and are requesting that the organization removes its soldiers as soon as possible. As such, beginning yesterday, members of NATO have been discussing a possible exit strategy in the region. While the committee seemed mainly in agreement that troops had to be removed, there was some disagreement regarding the specifics of the exit strategy.
The United Kingdom, for example, expressed support for a 2020 removal of NATO troops. Other nations have focused on leaving Kosovo as a stable, peaceful nation that will be an active member of the international community.
Canada also had a voice in the committee, stating, “We want to transform Kosovo into a democratic country.”
Eventually, the nations began working together in order to draft various papers to finally remove NATO forces. These papers also put forward suggestions such as making Kosovo a UN recognized nation, improving education and infrastructure in the nation, and allowing it to join the European Union and NATO itself.
The Canadian representative was opposed to the latter suggestion, stating that Kosovo should first join “less controversial committees” before earning its place in NATO.
As of this afternoon, there are currently two resolution papers on the floor. The international community waits for NATO’s ultimate solution to this urgent issue.