Kosovo will have formal military representation in Brussels, through the recognition of a Kosovo defence attaché by Belgium, announced Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) on Thursday.
Francken made the announcement after a working visit to the Belgian military personnel who are currently active in Kosovo as part of a NATO mission. Belgium has recognised Kosovo as an independent state since 2008.
"Kosovo plays a key role in ensuring stability in the Western Balkans. Our relations have grown historically and deserve to be strengthened," Francken said in a press release, adding that the recognition of the attaché is a "powerful signal" of this.
Very glad to announce today at a press conference in Pristina that we will accredit a Military Attaché of the Republic of Kosovo in Brussels. This for the first time since the Independence of Kosovo. Proud with this mayor diplomatic breakthrough. Thank you my dear collegue MoD… pic.twitter.com/4HJWGVEJAn
— Theo Francken (@FranckenTheo) July 3, 2025
Since April 2025, Belgium has been participating in the NATO mission KFOR, together with the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The Benelux detachment is under Luxembourg command. The Belgian military personnel use a drone – the Integrator – to monitor the border line between Kosovo and Serbia, where tensions regularly flare up.
The KFOR has been helping to ensure stability and security in Kosovo since 1999. The force currently consists of almost 5,000 soldiers from 29 countries. It has not included Belgians since 2010.
A defence attaché is a soldier who works at an embassy and represents his country's defence sector abroad.
