MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2017, JUNE MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE Dear all, In the month of June, the Ministry for the Kosovo Security Force and the Kosovo Security Force have carried out a series of successful activities, despite that during this month was the pre-election campaign and parliamentary elections in the country, which went excellent, once again re-affirming the sustainability and consolidation of the institutions of our country. This month I hosted the Deputy Assistant of the Secretary to NATO, Mr. John Manza, and also the KSF Commander participated in the State Partnership Conference with US State Guard Commanders in Germany. Allow me to initially inform you about the ongoing successes of KSF members in trainings and exercises both at home and abroad. On this occasion, I have to emphasize award “Top Student” which was awarded to Captain Adison Gara, awarded as the best student at the completion of the Multinational Peace Support Operations Instructor Training Course in Vyshkov, Czech Republic. Then, the KSF member Granit Kryeziu has won the humanitarian running race, on the 5,000- meter-long track, organized by KFOR. Furthermore, a KSF contingent participated in the Combined Resolve VIII exercise in Germany, then in the Field Exercise of the Summer Camp 2017 in the Republic of Macedonia. Also, internships like “Maneuvering with Armored Vehicles”, “Helicopter Evacuation”, “Vigilent Wolf”, “Summer Camp 2017” of the KSF Cadets of University Studies Center. The Kosovo Security Force has also carried out some good humanitarian activities for the community. Thus, in the village of Plemetin (inhabited by the minorities), the KSF has donated medical materials and drugs. Also, in Dragash, KSF has donated equipment for the Fire Brigade, then they have carried out several collaborations with “Hundikap Kosova”, “Caritas” of Kosovo, etc. During the month of June, the German Government has donated vehicle maintenance equipment. KSF officers have participated in the conference “The Day of Gender Perspective” organized by KFOR. Respectfully, Haki DEMOLLI, 1 MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2017, JUNE LT. ADISON GARA WON TOP STUDENT PRICE AT INSTRUCTOR`S COURSE FOR MULTINATIONAL PEACE SUPPORT OPERATION IN CZECH REPUBLIC Prishtinë, 02nd June 2017. Among 30 students, officers from 8 countries of the world , member of the third Battalion of Rapid Reaction Brigade (RRB), of Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Capt. Adison Gara won prize of “Top Student”, of Multinational Peace Support Operations Instructor Training Course in Vyshkov of Czech Republic. Trading covered various activities about preparation of peacekeeping operations. This activity was held from 30th April up to 03rd of June 2017 projected and leaded by British Military Advisory Team- (BMAT). The KSF members who participated at this course have shown high results both in academic and practical work. The KSF participation to Multinational Peace Support Operations Instructor Training Course, is a part of continuously bilateral cooperation with UK. Purpose of the course is equipping of instructors with technic knowledge and preparing of them with military conventional skills. Despite, Adison Garës who was announced as top student of this generation, captain Alban Bujupi, Lieutenant Elbasan Sabedini and SrgM Bedri Zuka attended this course, too. 2 MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2017, JUNE COL. IRFETE SPAHIU PART OF CONFERENCE PANEL “GENDER PROSPEROUS DAY 2017” Pristine, 02th June 2017. The Kosovo Security Force from its starting provided diversity and gender inclusion mentioned Dep/Commander of Doctrine and Training, Col. Irfete Spahiu on the second Panel of the Conference “Gender Prosperous Day 2017” organized by KFOR held at, Sirius’’ hotel in Pristina. Further, Col.Spahiu made a retrospective counting some of the reasons that the situation in the KSF makes it enjoyable, as she said, for example: The number of female members in the KSF exceeds 8 percent, and has a steady upward trend. Women today are represented up to the rank of colonel with a tendency of growth in each generation of recruitment. Also, Col. Irfete Spahiu said: In the KSF we not only have female members, but they are engaged in all units of the Force. These women, in all ranks as soldiers, NCOs and officers, are representing in the best possible way the KSF. " In this conference attended by US Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, KFOR Commander, General Giovani Fungo, then Chief of NATO Advisory Team for MKSF / KSF, General Dietmar Mosmann, also attended Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama, Commander of the KSF, then generals Zymer Halimi, Nazmi Brahimaj and Enver Cikaqi, as well as colonels Xhevahir Geci, Naim Haziri, Bashkim Shillova, Fadil Hadergjonaj, Halime Morina, Chief of Human Rights and Gender Equality in MKSF, Ms. Krenare Sogojeva, Director of the Legal Office and Major Remzie Zeqiraj, Public Relations Officer in MKSF, which has also been addressed with the issue of public promotion of the gender equality values cultivated by the KSF. The purpose of this event was to present a platform for international organizations, non-governmental organizations, KFOR and NATO, as well as security organizations in Kosovo to discuss gender-focused issues with a focus on "Gender Perspectives in Security" and” The new generation of Kosovo ". 3 MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2017, JUNE KSF ASSISTS FMC OF PLEMETIN VILLAGE WITH MEDICAL MATERIAL Pristina, 05 June 2017. The Department for Civil-Military Cooperation of the Ministry for the Kosovo Security Force (MKSF) has implemented a humanitarian project by donating the necessary medical materials to the Family Medicine Center of Plemetin / Obilić Municipality, which cares and provides medical services to residents of many villages inhabited by Serbs, Roma, Ashkali and others. On behalf of the KSF, the donation was donated to Lieutenant Colonel Afrim Veseli and was received by the director of this center Dr.Slavisha Radosavljevic. This activity was attended by the director of FMC in Obiliq. Haki Jashari, who appreciated the KSF assistance to this center as very valuable to citizens of this area. Lieutenant Colonel Veseli, during his speech, emphasized that KSF is in the service of all citizens of the country and will always support all the community. KSF MEMBER GRANIT KRYEZIU TOOK FIRST PLACE IN THE RACE ORGANIZED BY KFOR Pristina, June 05, 2017. In the Fshati i Ri (Novosellë), Vushtrri / Vucitrn Municipality, under the patronage of KFOR Commander, Major General Giovanni FUNGO, was held a humanitarian run on the 5,000m trail. In this run apart from the representatives of KFOR were also participated 7 members of the KSF. The official opening of the race was made by KFOR Commander, Major General Giovanni Fungo, who thanked members of the KSF for their support and participation in this humanitarian run. 4 MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2017, JUNE In a strong competition, first place went to Granite Kryeziu, member of the RRB KSF, who won the gold medal which the KFOR Commander, Major General Giovanni Fungo personally awarded to him. Granit Kryeziu after thanking the KFOR commander for the medal, said: "The first place and the gold medal are not only my success, but in general success of the KSF, which is being witnessed more and more daily more that the members of the KSF are prepared according to NATO standards ". Also other members of the KSF, who participated in humanitarian running at 5,000 meters, showed high physical training. The purpose of the organization of this race was entirely of humanitarian character, where all the collected means will be distributed to vulnerable families. CHIEF OF ODC OFFICE VISITED DOCTRINE AND TRAINING COMMAND IN FERIZAJ Pristina, 06 June 2017. Commander of Doctrine and Training Command of the KSF Bg. Gen. Enver Cikaqi alongh his staff, today, hosted for a working visit Chief of Defence Cooperation Office of U. S Embassy in Pristine, Major Brian Delvin and Defense Attaché Juan Murillo. On this case, BG Enver Cikaq has thanked the ODC team for assistance that the U.S Embassy is providing to the KSF as well informed on overall activities which are implemented within Doctrine and Training Command in Ferizaj. Whereas Chief of Staff of TRADOC LTC. Fadil Hoxha via a short briefing presented overall achievements of the TRADOC and the future projects. Whereas, Dep/Commander, Col. Irfete Spahiu accompanied the ODC team during visits in the TRADOC schools where closely have seen training being conducted over there. Chief of ODC, Major Brian Delvin visiting TRADOC said “I see a well-done progress in TRADOC and encouraging results either in training area or preparation of cadres said, at the end Major Delvin. BG. Cikaqi and Major Delvin expressed readiness to further continue cooperation in the future. 5 MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2017, JUNE THERE ARE CERTIFIED 27 KSF MEMBERS IN TRAINING FOR, DRIVER, MAINTENANCE AND TACTICAL MANEUVER WITH COBRA ARMORED VEHICLE” Pristina, 09 June 2017.At Rapid Reaction Brigade at barrack ,,NATO Soldiers'' in Istog is held certification ceremony of the 27 members after training completion ’’Driver, Maintenance and Tactical Maneuver with Cobra armored vehicle” Attended: Dep/Commander of LFC, BG. Gëzim Hazrolli, Acting Commander of the RRB, Col. Xhevahir GECI, Col. Devrim GÜCÜYENER- advisor to MKSF, Chief of Staff of the RRB, LTC. Ejup Maqedonci, Battalion Commanders, Officers and NCOs of the RRB brigade and Turkish Army. Col. Xhevahir GECI addressed to attendees saying that: training on ,, Driver, Maintenance and Tactical Maneuver with Cobra armored vehicle” is one of the most important one to our Brigade particularly when we take into consideration that armored vehicles are part of RRB resources which will be used now and in the future for the operation and mission conducting. Last year along with Turkish training teams was projected and conducted this kind of training for the first time.