The undersecretary of state, the Hon. Gioacchino Alfano spent four days in Kosovo with the Italian military contingent of Kosovo Force (KFOR) together with the gold medal for military valor, Lieutenant Colonel Gianfranco Paglia, advisor to the Minister of Defense and national councilor of FITET (Italian Table Tennis Federation) .
The undersecretary was received at the military base of "Villaggio Italia" by the commander of the Multinational Battle Group West (MNBG-W), Colonel Enzo Ceruzzi, where he was updated on the operational situation in the western sector of Kosovo. In particular, the commander of the MNBG-W presented an analysis on the guidelines of the mission defined by the 1244 resolution of the United Nations Security Council which are expressed at a tactical level with the protection of the Decane Monastery as the first responsible (first responder ), with the patrol activity aimed at guaranteeing freedom of movement, with the joint operational activities of the Kosovar security forces and the Serbian armed forces for the control of the territory along the administrative demarcation line (Administrative Boundary Line) between Kosovo and Serbia and with the activities of carrying out projects of the Civil and Military Cooperation (CIMIC) in favor of the local institutions and bodies that represent the Kosovar population.
During the visit, the undersecretary met with the personnel of the Army, the Air Force, the Navy and the Carabinieri of the Multinational Battle Group West addressing to them the message of thanks and appreciation, on behalf of the Italian government, for the meritorious work carried out in a multinational and inter-force context where all the efforts, together with the activities, develop in close coordination with the host country. Synergy with Kosovo institutions and with the stakeholders of the international community have contributed to a substantial and sustainable improvement in the quality of life of the Kosovar population.
Undersecretary Alfano and Lieutenant Colonel Paglia together with the President of the Kosovar Federation of Table Tennis (FPPK), Mr. Nehat Citaku, and the coach of the Italian Table Tennis Federation (FITET), Mr. Fabio Di Silvio, with the patronage of the Italian National Olympic Committee and the Italian Paralympic Committee, presented to the Kosovar media the project to spread the discipline of table tennis through the holding of a tournament between the athletes of the Kosovar Federation and the Italian and foreign soldiers of KFOR.
The multi-ethnic composition of the Kosovar team has shown how sport can break down all kinds of barriers and encourage team spirit - said the ten. col Paglia - underlining the importance of respecting the rules and of people in sports competitions as in life.
Furthermore, the undersecretary visited the Decane Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, constantly monitored by the MNBG-W military based on 3 ° regiment of the "Julia" Alpine Brigade, the historic center of Peja / Pecˈ, a concrete example of how KFOR has contributed over time to improve the socio-economic conditions of the area, and the city of Mitrovica and the symbolic bridge of Austerliz, manned by the carabinieri of the Multinational Specialized Unit (MSU) of KFOR under the command of Colonel Fabio Cagnazzo.
The visit of the Hon. Alfano ended in Pristina at the KFOR multinational headquarters with a meeting with the commander of the Kosovo Force (KFOR), general of division Giovanni Fungo.
General Fungo and the undersecretary of defense discussed the current situation in Kosovo and the fundamental role of KFOR in guaranteeing a safe environment and the freedom of movement necessary for the region's economic and social development. In particular, the undersecretary underlined the remarkable contribution made to NATO by the Italian armed forces, present in Kosovo by the 1999, for the stabilization of this delicate area of the Balkans which represents one of the regions of greatest geopolitical and strategic interest for our country.
Furthermore, the undersecretary also met the Italian Armed Forces personnel who work in the KFOR Headquarters expressing his appreciation for all the men and women with the stars of the Italian contingent who have always guaranteed security and favored economic, social and economic development. political force in Kosovo and more generally in the Balkan area.
Italy is one of the main contributing countries to the NATO mission in Kosovo, with about 550 military employees and holds for the fourth consecutive year the leadership with General Fungo leading more than 5000 soldiers belonging to 29 nations.
