"Defender Europe 2025", the US Army division will be located at Gjakova Airport

The Republic of Kosovo will be among the 18 host countries of the largest military exercise led by the United States of America, involving 25 soldiers from 29 NATO countries. All of this will take place within the framework of the "Defender Europe 2025" exercise, which will be held from May 26 to June 6.

The Boka Mountains will once again be exercised by soldiers of the Kosovo Security Force. Alongside the troops of the Army of the Republic, there will also be members of the armies of Albania, Croatia and North Macedonia.

Details regarding this major military exercise were provided by the acting Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci.

"Our country, being both the host country of this exercise, but also a participant with about 1 troops in various locations in the Western Balkans region, stands out for the fact that this year Kosovo has been selected by the US Army as the location where the command of the 28th Infantry Division of the US Army will be located," he said.

The Macedonian says that the deployment of this US Army division at the Gjakova airport is of extraordinary importance for Kosovo and demonstrates the professionalization of the Republic's army.

"This division, which will be located at the Gjakova airport, now owned by the KSF, will lead all operations and exercises that will take place in the Balkans, including those in Croatia, Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria," Macedonci told RTK.

According to Makedonci, during these exercises, the KSF will conduct offensive operations, defensive operations and stability operations. He also talks about the signing of a framework agreement in the field of defense, which is expected to take place in June, between Kosovo and the US for the period 2025-2030.

"They relate to the interoperability between our military and the US, but also with the defense industry, where through this agreement we will open opportunities for co-investments and joint work with the US in the field of the defense industry," he said.

The acting minister emphasized that no agreement between Kosovo and any country aims to threaten neighbors and other actors, but rather to build a force capable of protecting the territory and the lives of the country's citizens.