The United States donated 55 armored military vehicles known as ASVs (armored security vehicles) to the Kosovo Security Force on Monday.
ASV vehicles entered service at the end of the 90s and are known for their strong resistance, especially to mines, and can be equipped with various armaments.
During the ceremony of handing over the military equipment, the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani said today that the military equipment will help increase the capacities of the Security Force.
"These devices will help you to further expand your capacities, foreseen in the comprehensive transition plan, based on your new mission and mandate. They will influence the operational capabilities of the KSF to increase significantly as well as our army to be fully interactive with our partners, especially the USA, influencing together with them to be a guarantor of peace and stability not only in region, but in the whole world, since you will be completely willing to participate in peacekeeping missions in the future as well", said President Osmani.
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, thanked the United States for increasing the military capacities of the Security Forces.
"In the path of growth and development of our army, an extremely important role is played by our irreplaceable strategic partner, the United States of America. The USA, together with other partner countries, continue to be active contributors in every phase of the development and modernization of the Kosovo Security Force. The support with armored vehicles from the US for the KSF is one of the many areas where the United States of America is significantly contributing to the defense and security of our country and our people," said Prime Minister Kurti.
The Kosovo Security Force was established in January 2009.
In December 2018, the Parliament of Kosovo approved the transformation of the Security Force into the Kosovo Army.
The authorities say that the creation of the army will be a process that will last 10 years and will not replace NATO forces, which continue to have about 4 peacekeeping troops in Kosovo, several hundred of whom are Americans./VOA
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