Government on Wednesday proposed not only an extension of Swisscoy’s mandate, but also a boost in numbers: given the volatile situation, the mission should also have the possibility to bring in up to 30 new soldiers, ministers saidExternal link.
The Russian war against Ukraine has raised the security risks across Europe, including in the Balkans, the government wrote. Should NATO members be forced to concentrate more on the situation in the East, they might end up reducing their contribution to KFOR; in such a scenario, neutral and non-NATO member Switzerland would be able to take up some of the slack in the peacekeeping mission, the government said.
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Foreign Affairs
SWISSCOY: more female recruits for more peace
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Women are still a minority in peacekeeping operations. The Swiss armed forces’ contingent in Kosovo shows just how important their role can be.
In January 2022, KFOR was made up of around 3,800 soldiers from 28 different countries (both NATO and non-NATO members). The force is charged with creating and maintaining a secure environment in Kosovo, monitoring developments in Kosovo and supporting international humanitarian efforts and civilian forces.
The current Swisscoy contingent includes up to 195 soldiers, with a 2022 budget of CHF40.9 million ($43.35 million). Switzerland has been part of the KFOR mission since 1999.
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The committee behind the Compass Initiative submitted the signatures it had collected to the Federal Chancellery on Friday.
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Esther Grether has died aged 89. Considered one of Switzerland’s leading entrepreneurs, the owner of the Basel-based Doetsch Grether Group was also a major shareholder in the Swatch Group and an art collector.
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The flag of the Swiss Wrestling Federation has been received at the start of the Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival in Mollis, canton Glarus.
Figurine heads in Zurich school not considered discriminatory
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The 16 carved figurine heads in the auditorium of the Hirschengraben school building in Zurich are not discriminatory, according to an independent expert report.
Swiss political parties report income of CHF22.4 million for 2024
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Ten parties reported income totalling CHF22.4 million for 2024, less than in the 2023 election year. The reports are based on the regulations for transparency in political financing.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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Swiss keep an eye on tensions in Kosovo
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Things are tense in northern Kosovo as a deadline approaches for Serbs to swap their Belgrade-issued number plates for local ones.
Parliament extends and beefs up Swiss peacekeeping mission in Kosovo
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Lawmakers in Switzerland have approved an extension to the Swisscoy peacekeeping mission in Kosovo until the end of 2023. The armed peacekeeping force will also be strengthened.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.