Eurocorps takes over in Kosovo

K-For takes on a European flavour

By Nicholas Wood in Pristina

A new commander has been appointed to lead peacekeeping troops in Kosovo.

General Juan Ortuno has taken over from General Klaus Reinhardt as head of the Nato-backed force.

The change over will also place K-For under the direction of the Eurocorps.

General Reinhardt's departure was marked by a ceremony that included singing, a piano sonata and flag bearers from each of the 39 nations that make up K-For.

Nato's supreme allied commander, General Wesley Clarke, praised him for his efforts to bring peace and stability to the province, and most notably helping to reduce crime.

With General Reinhardt's departure, K-For takes on a decidedly European flavour.

Protection of minorities

General Ortuno comes as the head of the Eurocorps, an alliance made up of troops from Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain.

The corps will make up K-For's general staff. It first time the group has led such a mission and there are questions as to how well it will cope with the task.

General Ortuno has listed the protection of minorities and helping the organisation of elections as his top priorities.

But he has also warned that the number of troops in the province needs to be maintained at a high level.

The handover to the Eurocorps coincides with the visit of the European Commissioner for External Affairs, Chris Patten and the EU's High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana.

Both have used the visit to stress the importance of the EU's contribution to Kosovo's budget and security.

European troops make up 80% of K-For, and the EU is contributing over half of the UN's budget for this year.