Balkans: from Kosovo to Bosnia-Herzegovina, here is where Italian soldiers are

The idea of the strategic interest of the Balkan area for defence was conveyed by the words of General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, Commander of the Interforce Summit Operations Command. Figliuolo spoke on Thursday 11 April at a hearing in the Senate on the international missions underway and on the status of development cooperation interventions in support of peace and stabilisation processes. "In 2024," he emphasised, "the national commitment in support of the stabilisation of the Balkans continues, an area in which the presence of our military equipment, albeit after many years, is still fundamental to prevent escalation of regional crises and stem the continuing tensions".

"The military instrument," said Figliuolo, "will therefore be present in the Balkan area with a contingent composed on average of just under 1,200 units, which could rise to over 1,800 units with the aforementioned NATO reserve force in readiness, ready to intervene at very short notice in case of need in both Kosovo and Bosnia. Two air assets for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities also operate in support of missions in the Balkans.

Figliuolo recalled that in Kosovo, Italy plays the role of primary actor, with a deployed contingent of about 850 units that can grow to 1.550 units in case of need (as happened, for example, at the end of last year with the deployment of the NATO Operational Reserve Forces Battalion - ORF) and where, moreover, from next October, it will once again take command of the NATO KOSOVO Force (KFOR) operation in which it currently holds the position of Deputy Commander. Italy, added the Commander of the Inter-Forces Operational Summit Command, will continue to provide, where required, specialised units of the Carabinieri Force for the EU civilian mission 'European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo)', for which Italy is the Head of Mission.

Figliuolo also spoke about Bosnia-Herzegovina. "A country with strong political, economic and social tensions," he said, "we have increased our contingent since last December, within the framework of the European Union FORCE (EUFOR ALTHEA) mission, with the deployment of a manoeuvre company in addition to the Italian-led Task Force Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance for a total of about 180 soldiers. In addition," continued the general, "we have recently assumed the position of Deputy Commander of the Operation, also guaranteeing the readiness from Italy of helicopters to support the Reserve Forces, should they be deployed.

Italy's interest in this area is not limited to security, but also directly involves politics and economics. "Bosnia Herzegovina is part of Europe and we want its full EU membership in the coming years. This is why Italy will continue to press in Brussels for the opening of accession negotiations,' stressed Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, during a recent trip to Sarajevo with his Austrian colleague Alexander Schallenberg (the two countries are the founders of the 'Friends of the Balkans' forum). One of the thorniest knots for Brussels is the reform of the electoral law, which should give greater inclusiveness to the different souls of Bosnia (the Serb, Croat and Muslim communities). Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic thanked Rome and Vienna for the support, admitting that there are still "conditions to be met", but at the same time he recalled the progress on Europol and Frontex. "Italy's political and economic projection in Bosnia and the Balkans," Tajani concluded, "is favoured by the presence of our military.