23 Luxembourg soldiers returned home from their peace mission in Kosovo on Saturday at Findel airport to a warm reception, having served in the special “KFOR” contingent.

Reunions with families, partners and friends were an emotional affair with tears of joy on many faces. Colonel Yves Kalmes, commander of the military centre in Diekirch was in charge of the soldiers’ official reception.

The Kosovo Protection Group was set up in 1999. Luxembourg has been represented for 16 years with a small contingent of troops. The military presence of Luxembourg in the Kosovo region is to be terminated next February.

The Luxembourg Kosovo Force, known as KFOR, has been working together with NATO since 2000, just one year after NATO began its mission in the region.