(L-R) Ejup Maqedonci, Minister of Defence of Kosovo; Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defence of Luxembourg;
Credit: MAE
On Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 July 2025, Luxembourg's Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, paid a working visit to Kosovo.
At the Novo Selo military camp, Minister Backes, alongside Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, Theo Francken, and Luxembourg's Chief of Defence, General Steve Thull, met with members of the Benelux Detachment of NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR).
As reported by Luxembourg's Directorate of Defence, this fully interoperable unit is equipped with aerial surveillance capabilities and is integrated into KFOR's Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Battalion (ISRBN). Organised under Luxembourg leadership, the detachment includes seven soldiers from Luxembourg, five from Belgium and one from the Netherlands who will contribute to the battalion's information gathering and intelligence mission for one year, until April 2026.
At the KFOR headquarters in Camp Film City, Ministers Backes and Francken met with KFOR Commander Major General Enrico Barduani. The programme also included a visit to the KFOR Role 2 medical centre, co-funded by Luxembourg since 2018, which provides appropriate medical support to soldiers on-site as well as the local community.
The Directorate of Defence noted that the Luxembourg Army has helped maintain a safe and secure environment and preserve freedom of movement for people in Kosovosince since 1999. From 1999 to 2017, the Luxembourg Army deployed contingents to Kosovo. Over those eighteen years, approximately 1,200 soldiers were deployed in 52 rotations. KFOR continues to provide impartial support to all communities in Kosovo, as stipulated by the principle of neutrality, the directorate added.
In Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, Minister Backes held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani. Discussions focused on bilateral relations, the "Women, Peace and Security" agenda, regional peace and stability, and Russian disinformation campaigns.
Minister Backes was received with military honours by her Kosovo's Minister of Defence, Ejup Maqedonci. The two ministers exchanged views on potential opportunities for cooperation in defence, military support for Ukraine and the security situation in Kosovo.
During a meeting with Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Minister Backes welcomed bilateral relations, notably marked by Luxembourg's recognition of Kosovo on 21 February 2008, four days after its declaration of independence. The Directorate of Defence emphasised that Luxembourg's cooperation with Kosovo spans diplomacy, defence and development, reflecting a holistic approach that benefits both countries.
