Admiral Stavridis and Admiral Di Paola visit NATO Forces Headquarters in Kosovo (KFOR)

SACEUR, Admiral James Stavridis talks to soldiers on duty at Gate 1 in the North of Kosovo. Picture By SSgt Mick Howard (GBR A)

Admiral James G. Stavridis, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander U.S. European Command, together with Admiral Giampaolo di Paola, the Chairman of the Military Committee of NATO, visited KFOR Headquarters and troops in Kosovo on August 29, 2011.

Both Admirals were welcomed by Major General Erhard Bühler, Commander KFOR, at KFOR Headquarters in Film City in Pristina. Gen Bühler briefed them about the general situation in Kosovo and the developments in the North of Kosovo after the recent unrest in July when a Crossing Point in the North was attacked and part of the infrastructure destroyed.

When Admiral Stavridis was asked about this incident during a radio interview with Radio KFOR he said, "Anytime people resort to violence it's a mistake and it does not move us forward. So I condemn the violence in the strongest terms. I am very happy that our KFOR forces were able to help restore order and I look forward to a continuing dialogue so that we can resolve problems like this without violence.”

After the visit to the Headquarters, the delegation went to the troubled Crossing Point to look at the situation on the ground and visit the KFOR and EULEX units who are now patrolling the area.

Major General Bühler, who is completing one year in Command of KFOR and leaving the mission in a few weeks, was thanked by the SACEUR for his outstanding commitment and expert crisis management during the last weeks. "I think General Bühler has done an excellent job. One thing that we look for always is that he has been able to maintain a safe and secure environment.”