Defense Minister Pfister visited Bosnia and Kosovo in his first year in office in Sarajevo.Image: keystone
The Defense Minister defends the deployment of Swiss troops in the Balkans. And he says how the army benefits from it.
April 8, 2026, 1:23 p.mApril 8, 2026, 1:23 p.m
Stefan Bühler / ch media
The Swiss Army has been taking part in the peace mission in Kosovo for 27 years. The National Council is now expected to approve three more years in June. Is there an end in sight?
Unfortunately not yet. Especially in the north of Kosovo, events like those at Pentecost 2023 show that the situation in this part of the country is fragile and at times tense. As long as tensions exist and international stability is required, engagement remains sensible – also because peace and stability in the Balkans is in Switzerland’s interest.
The name of Prime Minister Kurti’s party means “self-determination”. Is KFOR still wanted in Kosovo?
Our participation is greatly appreciated locally. My Kosovar counterpart Ejup Maqedonci confirmed this to me during my visit last summer.
What has KFOR’s deployment brought to Kosovo so far?
The effort has clearly contributed to progress. At the same time, the situation remains fragile. This is precisely why Kfor’s presence is crucial. It helps prevent escalations that could spread throughout the region. It is also crucial that Kfor is accepted by all parties. Our teams on site, especially the liaison teams, are in close contact with key stakeholders in the country. This creates a good picture of the situation and tensions can be defused at an early stage.
Switzerland has been participating in the multinational peace mission in Kosovo since 1999.Image: KEYSTONE
The deployment in Kosovo costs the army around 50 million francs per year. Is this effort worth it?
Yes, this deployment is an investment in our own security. Instability in Europe also affects Switzerland, politically, economically and socially. At the same time, our army benefits directly from the deployment. We gain valuable experience under real conditions, for example when using new technologies such as drones. These findings flow directly into the further development of our own skills. Another point is collaboration with partners. Our soldiers train with other armed forces and use common procedures. These experiences concretely strengthen our ability to defend ourselves.
With its peace mission in Kosovo, Switzerland is relieving the burden on the armed forces of other countries so that they can get involved elsewhere. Isn’t this a break with neutrality through the back door?
No. As a UN-mandated operation, KFOR is based, firstly, on the fundamental agreement of the parties to the conflict. Secondly, Switzerland is exclusively committed to promoting peace; Participation in hostilities to enforce peace remains excluded.
After a ceasefire in Ukraine, could you imagine Switzerland also being deployed there to ensure peace?
There are no plans to send Swiss troops to Ukraine. We have also not received any requests to participate in a military peacekeeping mission.
Under what conditions are further peacekeeping missions by the army abroad possible?
The prerequisite for Switzerland’s participation would be a mandate from the UN or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE. The Federal Council and Parliament would then decide on such an operation. (aargauerzeitung.ch)