Italy–Kosovo relations are foreign relations between the
Italian Republic and the
Republic of Kosovo.
Kosovo declared its independence from
Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Italy
recognised it on 21 February 2008. Italy has an embassy in
Pristina since 15 May 2008. Kosovo will open an embassy in
Rome. The two countries enjoy friendly relations.
Military
Italy participated in the
1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) carried out an aerial bombing campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War. The air strikes lasted from 24 March 1999 to 10 June 1999. The bombings continued until an a ...
, which resulted in a
UN administration of Kosovo and then to eventual independence. Italy currently has 1,935 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the
NATO led
Kosovo Force
The Kosovo Force (KFOR) is a North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO-led international NATO peacekeeping, peacekeeping force in Kosovo. Its operations are gradually reducing until Kosovo Security Force, Kosovo's Security Force, established in 2 ...
. Originally there was 5,000 Italian troops in KFOR.
"Kosovo Force (KFOR)"
www.nato.int Link accessed 21-07-09 Carlo Cabigiosu was the 4th KFOR Commander from 16 October 2000 - 6 April 2001. Fabio Mini was the 7th KFOR Commander from 4 October 2002 - 3 October 2003. Giuseppe Valotto was the 10th KFOR Commander from 1 September 2005 - 1 September 2006. Also Giuseppe Emilio Gay is the current KFOR Commander since 29 August 2008.
Italy sent 600 Soldiers to serve as Peacekeepers in EULEX; an EU Police, Civilian and Law Mission in Kosovo.["British troops arrive in Kosovo"]
'ukpress.google.com'' 24 May 2008 Link accessed 24/05/08
See also
* Foreign relations of Italy
* Foreign relations of Kosovo
Foreign relations of Kosovo are accomplished by efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. Kosovo operates 33 embassies abroad and is host to 22 embassies in Pristina. Kosovo has membership in several international organisations.
On ...
* Italy–Serbia relations
* Albania–Italy relations
Albania has an embassy in Rome and two general consulates in Bari and Milan. Italy has an embassy in Tirana and a general consulate in Vlorë.
Due to the strong presence of Albanians in Italy and the historic presence of the Arbëreshë people ...
* Italy–Taiwan relations
* Italy–Yugoslavia relations
Italy–Yugoslavia relations are the cultural and political relations between Italy and Yugoslavia in the 20th century, since the creation of Yugoslavia in 1918 until its dissolution in 1992. Relations during the interwar years were hostile becaus ...
Notes and references
Notes:
References:
Bilateral relations of Kosovo
Kosovo
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