Members of the Joint Committee of the Austrian Parliament unanimously approved the continuation of Austria’s strong engagement in the Western Balkans.
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger emphasized that the EU must confront destabilizing efforts in the region. She noted that Austria is committed to keeping the Western Balkans closely connected with Europe and the European peace project.
According to the Austrian Parliament, “as part of the multinational peace operation in Kosovo (KFOR), up to 600 members of the Austrian Armed Forces will be redeployed in 2026.”
“The primary mission of KFOR is to maintain a safe and stable environment in Kosovo. The continuation of Austria’s participation in two other missions in Kosovo was also unanimously approved. For the interim UN administration in Kosovo (UNMIK), one liaison officer from the Ministry of Interior, one member from the Ministry of Defense, and up to 50 additional Austrian military personnel will be deployed,” the Parliament stated.
“In the EU rule-of-law mission in Kosovo (EULEX), up to ten police officers and up to three representatives from the Ministry of Justice will be engaged,” the Austrian Parliament’s announcement added.
Furthermore, it was unanimously decided that up to 200 Austrian Armed Forces members will continue to serve as operational reserve forces for KFOR and EUFOR ALTHEA.
In addition, a unanimous decision was made to deploy up to 700 Austrian Armed Forces members to the EU military operation EUFOR ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina until the end of 2026.
