Latvian president praises professionalism of soldiers participating in NATO-led peacekeeping operation in Kosovo

RIGA - Latvian soldiers' participation in the NATO-led peacekeeping operation in Kosovo is a significant contribution to each soldier's individual experience and to the National Armed Forces' (NAF) general development and improvement through operational cooperation with the allied forces, President Edgars Rinkevics said during a meeting with Latvian soldiers in Kosovo.

As LETA was told at the president's office, Rinkevics made a working visit to Kosovo on Thursday. During the visit, the president met with the Latvian troops participating in the NATO-led peacekeeping operation in Kosovo (KFOR), as well as with Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu and KFOR Commander Major General Enrico Barduani.

Rinkevics noted the significance of the Latvian soldiers' participation in the NATO-led operation in ensuring the region's stability and in the development of the NAF, as well as praised the Latvian soldiers' professionalism.

During a meeting with Kosovo's president, Rinkevics noted Latvia's contribution to ensuring the stability of Kosovo and the wider region, as well as appreciated Kosovo's support to Ukraine and complete alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Rinkevics confirmed Latvia's support for the integration of Kosovo and the Western Balkans into the European Union (EU), as well as for Kosovo's membership of the Council of Europe. He also noted that Latvia was ready to continue supporting the reform process in Kosovo and supported the lifting of EU restrictive measures against Kosovo.