MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2015 APRIL MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE Dear friends, It is my pleasure to introduce you to the 37th edition of the MKSF’s newsletter. Last month was highlighted with a significant event for our Security Force – a change of command that took place on the 18th of March. I truly appreciate Lieutenant General Kadri Kastrati’s devoted service and leadership and wish all the best in his future endeavours; I warmly welcome Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama and look forward to working together and strengthening our state capabilities. March was also rich of several important visits. Together with other state senior officials I visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels where I had several fruitful meetings and discussions. I am grateful to US Mission to NATO for making this visit possible and a chance to discuss in depth Kosovo – NATO relationship and possible future engagement. At the end of the month, accompanied by Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama, I paid a visit to Croatia. The very warm welcome by President Kolinda Grabar- Kitarovic, Defence Minister Ante Kotromanovic and all our Croatian colleagues and counterparts made this visit very special and productive. About these and other events you can learn more in this edition. Sincerely Yours, Haki Demolli MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2015 APRIL Major General Rrahman Rama Takes Up Duties As The KSF Commander On the 18th of March, the Change of Command ceremony for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) was held at the Land Force Command. The ceremony marked the handover of command between the outgoing Lieutenant General Kadri Kastrati and the incoming General Rrahman Rama, as KSF Commander. Kosovo President, Atifete Jahjaga, thanked Lieutenant General K. Kastrati for his service and dedication in building the KSF. “You are leaving behind you a professional institution, ready to take upon the responsibilities in guaranteeing of national security,” said President A. Jahjaga. The President in her speech pointed out that the new Commander has a long road ahead in further professionalization of the KSF and expressed her confidence that he will succeed in it and Kosovo will become an equal contributor to the collective security. Based on the decree of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, during the Change of Command Ceremony Commander R. Rama was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. Lieutenant General R. Rama was born in 1970. Since 2009 he was a Deputy Commander of KSF and Commander of Land Force Command. Lieutenant General R. Rama holds a Bachelor’s degree in International General Management. 2015 APRIL MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER Minister Haki Demolli Visits NATO Headquarters From the 3rd to 4th of March, upon the invitation of US Mission to NATO, Minister Haki Demolli along with senior officials of Kosovo visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels, where he had meetings with Ambassador Douglas Lute, Deputy Permanent Representative of the U.S. Mission to NATO, Ambassador Stephen Evans, NATO Assistant Secretary General of Operations, Ambassador Thrasyvoulos Terry Stamatopoulos, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, and other officials. Minister H. Demolli informed NATO officials about KSF’s development process and asked NATO’s further support for KSF’s capability strengthening. Minister H. Demolli also informed about the need to establish a contractual relationship between Kosovo and NATO. During the two day visit the Kosovo delegation had discussions on NATO’s Strategic Concept, NATO’s role in Kosovo and NATO’s Western Balkan engagement as well as was briefed on U.S. priorities for NATO and US-EU relations. While visiting Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) the Kosovo delegation was briefed on SHAPE and Allied Command operations, ACT training and military education opportunities, and military cooperation issues. The delegation also visited SHAPE’s Comprehensive Crisis and Operations Management Centre. MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2015 APRIL Croatian Minister of Defence: Our Excellent Bilateral Cooperation Will Be Continued From the 24th to 25th of March, Minister Haki Demolli and KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama, paid an official visit to the Republic of Croatia where they held a series of meetings with Croatian senior state officials. At a meeting with the Croatian Defence Minister, Ante Kotromanovic, Minister H. Demolli expressed his satisfaction with the high level of cooperation between the two ministries and thanked for the support that the Croatian Ministry of Defence provides to the Ministry for the Kosovo Security Force (MKSF) and the KSF. The meeting of the two ministers was an opportunity to exchange opinions on reforms in the defence and security sector of both countries. “KSF is in the process of transformation and we are willing to provide the necessary support,” said Minister A. Kotromanovic. The two sides also discussed the intensification of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of military education and training. Minister A. Kotromanovic pointed out that he is pleased to continue the excellent bilateral cooperation, especially in the field of education and training, and next year two Kosovo cadets will have the opportunity to study at the Croatian Military Academy “Petar Zrinski”. During the meeting the Bilateral Cooperation Plan for 2015 was signed between the MKSF and the Croatian Ministry of Defence. Minister H. Demolli and KSF Commander, Lieutenant General R. Rama, were also received by the President of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. President K. Grabar-Kitarovic promised Croatia’s continuous support for Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. 2015 APRIL MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER Nick Gurr Assures UK’s Continuous Support For KSF On the 18th of March, Minister Haki Demolli held a meeting with Director of International Defence Policy at the UK Ministry of Defence, Nick Gurr. The meeting was also attended by Ambassador of the UK, Ian Cliff, KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama, and other MKSF and UK officials. During the meeting both sides discussed a wide range of bilateral issues of security cooperation. Minister H. Demolli thanked the UK for its active and very needed support provided to the KSF, especially in the field of leadership education and training. Mr. Gurr expressed the readiness of the UK Defence Ministry to further assist the KSF in developing its capabilities. UK has been one of the leading strategic partners of the KSF from the very beginning of its establishment. Until now, 9 KSF officers have completed a one year initial officer education course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), with 3 currently on the course and a further one starting in May. One Senior Officer is currently attending the world renewed Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) in London. The UK also offers through its bi-lateral programme support to the KSF Wind Orchestra, medical training and other professional development opportunities in areas, such as fitness and weapon handling. MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2015 APRIL KSF Commemorates Victims Of The 1998 – 1999 Armed Conflict th On the 5 of March, a commemorative ceremony to honour victims of the 1998 – 1999 armed conflict was held at the Land Force Command. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, members of the Assembly, MKSF and KSF leadership, KSF uniformed members, and families of the martyrs. Prime Minister I. Mustafa in his speech underlined that although the memories of the painful past are not forgotten, Kosovo is very determined to move forward towards realization of its major goals. “Today it is needed to work for a better life in Kosovo, for the realization of the dreams of generations who sacrificed their lives for a free and democratic Kosovo, dreams that were and remain our dreams,” said I. Mustafa. The Prime Minister also pointed out that the Kosovo Armed Forces will be a modern military force, equipped with all necessary means to ensure stability and peace, and to participate in humanitarian and peace support missions. The three-day commemoration is held annually on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of March and marks the death of Kosovo Liberation Army commander Adem Jashari and his family as well as other persons who died in the 1998 – 1999 armed conflict. MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2015 APRIL Parliamentary Oversight Committee Visits Rapid Reaction Brigade In Istog On the 10th of March, Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs, Security and Kosovo Security Force Oversight visited the Rapid Reaction Brigade in Istog. The parliamentary delegation, headed by Chair of the Parliamentary Committee, Daut Haradinaj, was received by then Major General Rrahman Rama, KSF Deputy Commander and Land Forces Commander, Colonel Xhevahir Geci, Acting Commander of the Rapid Reaction Brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Mehmet Lladrovci, Commander of the Second Rapid Reaction Battalion. Members of the Assembly were informed about mission, structure, tasks, training activities and development plans of the Brigade. During the visit the parliamentary delegation could also watch several simulated operations. 2015 APRIL MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER Federal Defence Forces Of Germany Provides A Seminar On Armed Forces In Democracy From the 10th to the 12th of March, Leadership Development and Civic Education Center of the Federal