Final Czech troops back from Kosovo, ending Czech Balkan mission

The final Czech troops have returned from Kosovo. On Thursday evening, three planes of Czech soldiers touched down in the Přerov-Bochoř military base in the east of the Czech Republic. Their arrival marks the end of the Czech mission in the Balkans, a spokesman for the army said. Amongst the Czech troops’ most recent duties was the monitoring of Serb demonstrations following Kosovo’s declaration of independence in February. The Czech Republic recognized Kosovo’s independence in May and two weeks ago opened up an embassy in Pristina.