President Visits Slovak Soldiers in Kosovo, Praises Their Exemplary Service

Pristina, 21 December (TASR-correspondent) - Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, along with Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD), visited Slovak professional soldiers serving in Kosovo as part of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission led by NATO on Sunday. In his speech, Pellegrini thanked the soldiers for their exemplary service and professional performance. He also wished them a beautiful and blessed holiday and presented them with Christmas gifts. "I'm glad that we can meet here before the Christmas holidays and that we can make this period a bit more pleasant for you," said the president. He views the government's decision on the return of Slovak soldiers to Kosovo positively. Pellegrini stated that Slovakia is part of this important mission in a region marked by tension and uncertainty. He thanked the soldiers for deciding to serve outside the Slovak territory. Kalinak also thanked the soldiers in Kosovo for their work. He views it as sad that Slovak soldiers left this mission 15 years ago. However, they are doing a good job there within the current mission, making a good name for Slovakia. During the visit, the president signed the KFOR visitors' book and the Slovak contingent's chronicle. He also lit the fourth candle on the Advent wreath. The soldiers in Kosovo were also visited by their families. There are 42 Slovak soldiers currently deployed on the KFOR mission. Kalinak announced the return of Slovak soldiers to Kosovo last November. In March, Parliament approved the deployment of Slovak soldiers as part of the NATO-led KFOR mission. The soldiers left for Kosovo in May. Slovak soldiers served in the KFOR mission between 1999-2010. A total of 2,004 Slovak soldiers rotated within the mission there. Their role was to ensure security and protection for all ethnic groups, freedom of movement along main supply routes, monitoring, and readiness to provide humanitarian aid. ko