Turkish Major General Özkan Ulutaş assumed the role of Commander of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, replacing the outgoing Italian commander, General Angelo Michele Ristuccia.

The NATO admiral, Stuart Munsch, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Forces Command Naples, attended the ceremony.

The new KFOR commander Ozkan Ulutaş said in his remarks that he was taking over the KFOR command at a time when tensions between Kosovo and Serbia are running high following an attack in the northern part of the country last month.

“As the first Turkish commander of KFOR, I understand the responsibility I have undertaken. Considering the sensitive situation in Kosovo, I am taking command with dedication to make every effort and use all the experience to ensure that this distinguished unit will continue to serve successfully in the future, as it has done in the past,” General Ulutaş said.

/KosovaPress/u.sh/