Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for Defence the advice available to him, his Department and the international community prior to withdrawal of peacekeeping forces from the western Balkans; if due regard has been given to the ongoing needs in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15629/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Since the late 1990's, the Defence Forces have participated in peace support operations in the Western Balkans through their troop presence in the UN mandated NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosovo and in the UN mandated EU-led Operation ALTHEA (formerly SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As the security situation has continued to improve in Kosovo in recent years, on 11 June 2009 NATO Defence Ministers approved the forces's move to that of a "deterrent presence" and this was endorsed by partner nations. Since then the move to a "deterrent presence" has been implemented in a gradual and phased manner moving from its troop level of approximately 15,400 (June 2009) to its current level (26 February 2010) of 9,923. The KFOR mission will continue to downsize over the coming months, subject to a continuation of the improved security situation on the ground. A downsized KFOR will continue to contribute to the safe and secure environment, in cooperation with the international civil presence and institutions in Kosovo. In addition, the Kosovo authorities are able to maintain the rule of law and the EU-led mission, EULEX Kosovo, has declared full operating capability since April 2009.

As outlined in the budget in December 2009, it had been decided that the Defence Forces commitments to overseas peace support operations would be scaled back in 2010 as one of the budgetary expenditure reductions. This month sees the drawdown of Irish personnel from NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo from the current 232 personnel to 40 (approximately) in line with the budgetary decision.

It had also been decided to drawdown in July 2010 the Defence Forces contingent serving with EUFOR's Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was based on an expectation that the transition of the EUFOR mission to a training and support mission would be well in train by that time. However, the transition to a smaller training and support mission is now expected to be completed in December 2010. Following a request by EUFOR's Operation Commander to maintain the Irish contingent with the mission until year end, I have decided to defer the drawdown of the Irish contingent from EU-led mission until the end of 2010.