Undersecretary Rauti Visits the Italian Contingent in Kosovo

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"In this strategic outpost, our Nation has always distinguished itself through the contribution and work of our soldiers and through Italian leadership; for 26 years we have participated in the KFOR Mission and enjoy the esteem of the Atlantic Alliance, the International Community, the institutions, and the communities of Kosovo."

This was stated by the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Senator Isabella Rauti, during her visit to the Italian contingent deployed in the international mission Kosovo Force (KFOR).

"Europe will never truly be united and reunited until the Western Balkans become part of the institutional family of the European Union. For the Italian Government, the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU remains a strategic priority. Italian soldiers are in Kosovo to help keep the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue open – a dialogue led by the EU, but one that can and must happen only in a secure environment, with the awareness that regional stability affects the security of Europe," declared the Undersecretary. KFOR is the longest mission in NATO’s history and, to this day, also the largest, with 33 participating countries. Italy has been involved from the beginning (1999) and is among the main contributors, representing “a fundamental axis in NATO’s collective effort, for a presence and posture of deterrence in a region crucial for global security and geostrategic balances”, Rauti emphasized.

After visiting the ancient Serbian Orthodox Monastery of Dečani, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is constantly guarded by RC-West soldiers, the Undersecretary took part in the commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of the Battle of the Pasta Factory (Mogadishu, Somalia – July 2, 1993), in the presence of the Gold Medal of Military Valor recipient, Lt. Col. Gianfranco Paglia, who at the time was a young Second Lieutenant and Commander of a platoon of paratroopers attacked by Somali militiamen.

The Italian contingent in Mogadishu was engaged in the humanitarian operation UNOSOM II to support the Somali population, victims of civil war. “It is a moral duty to remember the fallen in Operational Theatres and in peace and stability missions, and to honor the memory of those who fought for the Homeland”, Rauti concluded.

SSSD RAUTI