TBILISI. Jan 6 (Interfax-AVN) - Georgia has tailored a peacekeeping unit to operate as part of the international peacekeeping forces in Kosovo.
"Preparation of the ninth rotation of Georgian peacekeepers in Kosovo has been completed, while the Georgian platoon, which is to be attached to a Turkish peacekeeping battalion, will be given an official farewell ceremony at the military airfield in the town of Marneuli on Wednesday," an official of the Georgian Defense Ministry told Interfax-Military News Agency.
The official said that before going to Kosovo Georgian peacekeepers would undergo month-long special training at a Turkish military base, while in February they would head for the Balkans.
Georgia has been participating in KFOR since 1999. At first Georgia sent a platoon to the Balkans, while in May 2003 it expanded its contingent up to a company, attached to the German peacekeeping brigade.
"In addition to that Georgian peacekeepers are taking part in the peacekeeping mission in Iraq, with the unit deployed being represented by a company, comprising medics, combat engineers, and a special forces platoon," the official said.