Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has welcomed NATO plans to reduce troop levels this year as a sign of confidence in the security of the Balkan country two years after it declared independence from Serbia.
Thaci, who is on a visit to Turkey, also voiced optimism that the International Court of Justice would endorse Kosovo's declaration of independence in a ruling expected this summer.
During a visit to Kosovo earlier in the day, NATO's Secretary-General Anders Fogh Ramussen said the KFOR security mission had already reduced its contingent in Kosovo this January to 10,000 from previous 15,000, and would continue the reduction.
Ramussen said the force may soon have 5,700 troops.
compiled from Reuters reports